Over 2.1 million eligible couples don’t claim Marriage Allowance, missing out on £252 per year. Use this calculator to check if you qualify and how much you could save — including backdated claims.
Quick Eligibility Check
Answer these questions to see if you qualify:
| Question | Your Answer |
|---|---|
| Are you married or in a civil partnership? | Yes / No |
| Does one partner earn less than £12,570? | Yes / No |
| Does the other partner earn between £12,571 and £50,270? | Yes / No |
| Were both of you born on or after 6 April 1935? | Yes / No |
If you answered YES to all four questions, you qualify for Marriage Allowance.
Calculate Your Annual Saving
| Lower Earner’s Income | Higher Earner’s Income | Eligible? | Annual Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| £0 | £25,000 | ✅ Yes | £252 |
| £5,000 | £35,000 | ✅ Yes | £252 |
| £10,000 | £42,000 | ✅ Yes | £252 |
| £12,000 | £48,000 | ✅ Yes | £252 |
| £12,570 | £30,000 | ❌ No | £0 |
| £8,000 | £55,000 | ❌ No (40% taxpayer) | £0 |
| £15,000 | £40,000 | ❌ No | £0 |
The saving is always £252 if you qualify — there’s no sliding scale based on income levels.
Backdated Claims Calculator
You can backdate Marriage Allowance by up to 4 tax years. Here’s what you could claim:
| When You Became Eligible | Years to Backdate | Total Backdated Amount | Plus Current Year | Grand Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/26 or later | 0 | £0 | £252 | £252 |
| 2024/25 | 1 | £252 | £252 | £504 |
| 2023/24 | 2 | £504 | £252 | £756 |
| 2022/23 | 3 | £756 | £252 | £1,008 |
| 2021/22 or earlier | 4 | £1,008 | £252 | £1,260 |
How Backdating Works
- Current year savings come through an adjusted tax code (letter M for receiver, N for transferor)
- Backdated amounts are paid as a lump sum — either by cheque or direct payment from HMRC
- You’ll receive the backdated payment within 5 weeks of your application being processed
Work Out Your Exact Position
Step 1: Check the Lower Earner’s Income
Add up all taxable income for the lower earner:
| Income Source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Employment income (gross) | £ |
| Self-employment profits | £ |
| State Pension | £ |
| Private pension | £ |
| Savings interest (over £1,000) | £ |
| Rental income | £ |
| Total Taxable Income | £ |
If the total is below £12,570, you may qualify.
Step 2: Check the Higher Earner’s Income
| Income Source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Employment income (gross) | £ |
| Self-employment profits | £ |
| Pension income | £ |
| Rental income | £ |
| Other taxable income | £ |
| Total Taxable Income | £ |
If the total is between £12,571 and £50,270, you qualify for the full saving.
Step 3: Scottish Taxpayers
If the higher earner is a Scottish taxpayer, different thresholds apply:
| Scottish Tax Band | Income Range | Eligible? |
|---|---|---|
| Starter rate (19%) | £12,571 - £14,732 | ✅ Yes |
| Basic rate (20%) | £14,733 - £25,688 | ✅ Yes |
| Intermediate rate (21%) | £25,689 - £43,662 | ✅ Yes |
| Higher rate (42%) | £43,663 - £125,140 | ❌ No |
Scottish taxpayers in the starter, basic, or intermediate bands qualify for Marriage Allowance.
Common Situations
Retired Couples
| Situation | Eligible? |
|---|---|
| One partner on State Pension only (£11,500), other has private pension of £25,000 | ✅ Yes |
| Both partners have State Pension plus private pensions totalling £20,000 each | ❌ No |
| One partner has State Pension (£11,500), other still working earning £40,000 | ✅ Yes |
One Partner Not Working
| Situation | Eligible? |
|---|---|
| Stay-at-home parent, partner earns £35,000 | ✅ Yes |
| On maternity leave with SMP (under £12,570), partner earns £45,000 | ✅ Yes |
| On career break, partner earns £60,000 (higher-rate taxpayer) | ❌ No |
Part-Time Workers
| Situation | Eligible? |
|---|---|
| Part-time earning £10,000, partner earns £30,000 | ✅ Yes |
| Part-time earning £15,000, partner earns £28,000 | ❌ No |
What If Your Circumstances Change?
| Change | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Lower earner’s income goes above £12,570 | You can cancel the transfer — no penalty |
| Higher earner becomes a 40% taxpayer | Cancel the transfer to avoid issues |
| You separate or divorce | Allowance continues until end of tax year, then stops |
| Lower earner dies | Higher earner keeps the benefit for that tax year |
| Higher earner dies | Transfer continues for that tax year only |
How to Claim
- Go to gov.uk/marriage-allowance
- The lower earner makes the application
- You’ll need both National Insurance numbers
- Provide ID verification (passport, payslip details, or P60)
- The application takes about 10 minutes
Once approved, Marriage Allowance renews automatically each year. You don’t need to reapply.
Why So Many Couples Miss Out
| Reason | Reality |
|---|---|
| “We didn’t know it existed” | Over 4 million couples qualify |
| “I thought it was only for pensioners” | Anyone born after 6 April 1935 can claim |
| “We earn too much” | Only the higher earner’s income matters (must be under £50,270) |
| “It’s too complicated” | It takes 10 minutes online |
| “The saving is too small” | £252/year × 40 years of marriage = £10,080 |
Related Guides
- Marriage Allowance Guide — full explanation of how it works
- Tax Allowances Guide — all the allowances you might be missing
- Income Tax Guide — understand how Income Tax works