Can I Claim Married Couple’s Allowance?
Married couples often wonder if they are eligible for married couple’s allowance, a tax allowance designed to support married couples or civil partners in the UK. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide on whether you can claim married couple’s allowance and how to go about it.
Married couple’s allowance is a non-means-tested tax allowance available to married couples or civil partners where one of the partners is not earning enough to pay tax. The allowance is intended to compensate for the loss of the personal allowance for the higher-earning partner. Here’s everything you need to know about claiming this allowance.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for married couple’s allowance, you must meet the following criteria:
1. You are married or in a civil partnership.
2. You and your partner are both UK residents.
3. One of you does not pay tax on their income (the non-taxpayer).
4. The non-taxpayer was born before 6th April 1935.
5. The non-taxpayer is not entitled to the full personal allowance.
If you meet these criteria, you can claim married couple’s allowance. However, if the non-taxpayer was born on or after 6th April 1935, they may still be eligible for the allowance if they are not entitled to the full personal allowance.
How to Claim
To claim married couple’s allowance, you can do so in the following ways:
1. Through your tax return: If you are already filing a tax return, you can include the claim for married couple’s allowance on your return.
2. By contacting HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC): You can call HMRC on 0300 200 3300 or visit their website to submit a claim.
When making a claim, you will need to provide your national insurance number and the national insurance number of your partner. If you are claiming on behalf of your partner, you will also need their permission.
Claiming for Previous Years
If you believe you are entitled to married couple’s allowance for previous years, you can claim back up to four years of the allowance. To do so, you will need to contact HMRC and provide the necessary information.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are a married couple or in a civil partnership and meet the eligibility criteria, you can claim married couple’s allowance. It is important to ensure that you claim the allowance as soon as possible to avoid missing out on any potential tax relief. If you have any doubts or need assistance, contacting HMRC is a great way to get the help you need.
