Need a New Year money makeover?

More than 1.3 million couples across the UK have boosted their finances with Marriage Allowance, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has announced today.

Around 4.2 million married and civil partner couples are eligible for the free tax break worth up to £220 per year, and since the start of the new tax year in April couples can backdate their allowance and boost their payment up to £432 – so why not start 2017 with a bit of a financial boost?

Applying for Marriage Allowance is quick and easy with the online form, and with customers being able to apply at any stage in the tax year, and still receive the full entitlement, there really is nothing to lose.

Jane Ellison, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said:

“For the more than four million eligible married and civil partner couples, the Marriage Allowance could be a welcome financial boost. What better time than the new year to claim?”

Ruth Owen, Director General, Personal Tax, HMRC said:

“An extra £432 is a really helpful way to start 2017, especially after Christmas. If you want to get your finances in order this year, it only takes a few minutes to check if you can get the Marriage Allowance tax break at www.gov.uk/marriage-allowance”.

Notes for Editors

1. Everyone has a tax-free personal allowance of £11,000 and no tax is due on income up to this amount. The Marriage Allowance allows a spouse or civil partner who earns less than their personal allowance to transfer £1,100 of it to their partner – as long as their partner doesn’t pay more than the basic rate of Income Tax.

2. About four million married couples, including around 15,000 civil partnerships, stand to benefit from the Marriage Allowance, which was introduced in April 2015.

3. Couples have four years to claim their backdated allowance and can apply at www.gov.uk/marriage-allowance

4. For more information, go to www.gov.uk/marriage-allowance

5. Follow HMRC Press Office on Twitter @HMRCpressoffice.

6. HMRC's Flickr channel: http://www.flickr.com/hmrcgovuk