Answers · UK 2025/26

How much is the marriage allowance worth in 2026?

Marriage Allowance is worth up to £252 a year in 2026/27. The lower earner transfers £1,260 of their unused £12,570 Personal Allowance to their spouse, who saves 20% of that — £252. You can also backdate claims up to four tax years.

Last updated: 1 June 2026Last reviewed: 1 June 2026How we verify

Full answer

Marriage Allowance lets a married couple or civil partners transfer part of their Personal Allowance to reduce their combined tax bill. For 2026/27 the lower earner can transfer £1,260 (20% of the £12,570 allowance) to their partner, provided the lower earner is a non-taxpayer (income below £12,570) and the higher earner is a basic-rate taxpayer (income between £12,570 and £50,270). The receiving partner gets a tax reduction of 20% × £1,260 = £252 a year. Worked example: one partner earns £8,000 (well within the Personal Allowance, so paying no tax and wasting allowance) and the other earns £30,000. The lower earner transfers £1,260, reducing their own allowance to £11,310 (still above their income, so no tax due), while the higher earner’s allowance rises to £13,830, saving them £252. You cannot claim if the higher earner pays tax at the 40% rate. A valuable feature is backdating: you can claim for the previous four tax years if you were eligible, potentially worth over £1,000 in a lump sum. Once claimed, it usually renews automatically until your circumstances change. In Scotland, Marriage Allowance still applies and the transfer amount is the same £1,260, but the saving is based on the Scottish starter and basic rates (19% and 20%), so the benefit can differ slightly. Apply free at gov.uk — never pay a third party. Use the Income Tax and Take-Home Pay calculators to check eligibility.