Married and Missing £250: If you’re married or in a civil partnership and one of you earns less than the personal income tax allowance, the UK government has a surprise in store for you—up to £250 in free money. But here’s the catch: you have just one week left to claim it for the 2020/21 tax year. The deadline? 5 April 2025.
This isn’t a scam or a loophole—it’s the Marriage Allowance, a legitimate tax break offered by HMRC to help couples keep more of their hard-earned money. Yet, millions across the UK are missing out simply because they didn’t know it existed. Understanding this tax benefit now can ensure that your household isn’t one of them. Whether you’re a newlywed, have been married for years, or even in a registered civil partnership, you could be entitled to backdated payments worth hundreds of pounds.
Married and Missing £250
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Tax Relief | Up to £252 per year; claim back up to £1,242 total over 4 years |
| Eligibility | Married or in civil partnership; one partner earning below the personal allowance |
| Deadline | 5 April 2025 for the 2020/21 tax year |
| How to Claim | Apply online via gov.uk with NI numbers and ID proof |
| Average Processing Time | Around 2–6 weeks for claim approval and payment |
| Applicable Income Range | Recipient: income between £12,571–£50,270; Transferrer: income below £12,570 |
The Marriage Allowance is one of the UK government’s simplest and most overlooked tax relief opportunities. With just a few minutes of effort, eligible couples can save up to £252 a year—and even more when claims are backdated.
With the 5 April 2025 deadline for the 2020/21 tax year fast approaching, now is the perfect time to act. Check your eligibility, fill out the online form, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with keeping more of your money. In an age of rising costs, every pound truly counts.
What Is the Marriage Allowance?
The Marriage Allowance allows the lower-earning partner in a marriage or civil partnership to transfer £1,260 of their unused personal tax allowance to their higher-earning partner. This reduces the latter’s income tax liability by up to £252 per year. The allowance is applied through a change in the recipient’s tax code or refunded as a lump sum if you’re owed money from past years.
Introduced in 2015, the Marriage Allowance is meant to support households where one partner earns less than the tax-free personal allowance (currently set at £12,570). Rather than allowing that unused portion to go unclaimed, the allowance lets couples shift some of it to the working partner.
One of the biggest benefits? You can backdate your claim by up to four years, making it possible to receive a one-off payment of up to £1,242 if you haven’t claimed before. That’s a substantial boost to any household, especially during challenging economic times.
Who’s Eligible?
To qualify for the Marriage Allowance, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be legally married or in a civil partnership (simply living together doesn’t count).
- One partner must earn below the personal allowance threshold (£12,570).
- The other partner must be a basic-rate taxpayer, earning between £12,571 and £50,270.
- Both individuals must have been born on or after 6 April 1935 (older applicants may instead qualify for the Married Couple’s Allowance).
It’s important to understand that you only need to apply once. Once your application is accepted, it will continue to apply automatically in future tax years unless you cancel it or your circumstances change. This could include a shift in income, separation, divorce, or death.
How Much Could You Get?
If you meet the requirements, here’s a breakdown of the potential tax savings you could receive if you backdate your claim:
- 2020/21: £250 (must claim by 5 April 2025)
- 2021/22: £252
- 2022/23: £252
- 2023/24: £252
Total: £1,006, or up to £1,242 if you can also claim for the 2019/20 tax year under certain circumstances.
Depending on your tax code and how your finances are set up, HMRC may:
- Pay the money into your bank account as a lump sum, or
- Adjust your tax code so your higher-earning partner pays less income tax in future months.
Married and Missing £250 Claim It Guide
The application process is straightforward and can be completed in just a few minutes. Here’s how:
- Step 1: Check Eligibility: Visit the official Marriage Allowance eligibility checker and input your income and tax details.
- Gather Documentation: You’ll need,
- Both partners’ National Insurance numbers
- Identification for the partner transferring the allowance (e.g., passport, P60, payslip)
- Apply Online: Head over to the Marriage Allowance portal. The online form takes around 10 minutes to complete.
- Confirmation and Processing: Once submitted, HMRC will process the application within 2 to 6 weeks. If your claim is approved, you’ll receive a confirmation letter and a tax adjustment or refund.
Why People Miss Out (And How You Can Avoid It)
Despite how easy and valuable it is, many couples overlook this benefit. Common reasons include:
- Lack of awareness about the allowance’s existence
- Belief that it’s too complicated or not worth the effort
- Misunderstanding the eligibility rules
- Not knowing that you can claim retroactively for previous years
To avoid missing out, take five minutes to check your eligibility. Even if you’re unsure, the worst that can happen is you’re found ineligible—there are no penalties for checking.
Real-Life Example
Meet Sarah and Luke, a married couple living in Leeds. Sarah has been working part-time since having their first child and earns £10,000 a year. Luke, working full-time, earns £32,000. Because Sarah doesn’t use her full personal allowance, she can transfer £1,260 of it to Luke. This gives them a tax saving of £252.
After learning about Marriage Allowance in 2025, they backdated their claim for four tax years. In just a few weeks, they received a lump sum of over £1,000, which they put toward a family holiday.
New DLA Rates for 2025 – Find Out If You Qualify for Up to £184.30!
New State Pension of £221.20 Starts Soon – Find Out If You’re Eligible!
State Pension Boost: £230 Extra Coming in March 2025, Check Your Eligibility!
Impact on Benefits and Other Taxes
A common concern is whether applying for Marriage Allowance will affect eligibility for other benefits or tax credits. The answer is no. It has no impact on Universal Credit, Child Benefit, Tax-Free Childcare, or other income-related benefits.
However, if your personal circumstances change—for example, if your income increases and you no longer qualify, or if your relationship ends—you’ll need to inform HMRC promptly. This ensures your tax code remains accurate and avoids the risk of overpayment.
Expert Opinions
💬 Martin Lewis, Founder of MoneySavingExpert.com:
“Marriage Allowance is one of those rare government giveaways that too many people ignore. If you qualify and haven’t claimed, you’re potentially leaving money on the table.”
💬 HMRC Spokesperson:
“We strongly encourage couples to take a few minutes to check if they’re eligible. It’s a quick process that can deliver meaningful financial relief.”
FAQs On Married and Missing £250
Q1: Can I claim if I was unemployed or a student?
Yes. If your income was below the personal allowance during the tax year and your partner met the basic-rate threshold, you may still qualify.
Q2: Do we both need to apply?
No. Only the lower earner applies to transfer part of their allowance. The recipient will see the adjustment in their tax code.
Q3: Will I need to reapply every year?
No. The claim continues automatically until you cancel it or your situation changes.
Q4: What if we get divorced or separated?
You’ll need to contact HMRC to cancel the arrangement. The allowance won’t transfer in future years.
Q5: Is it too late to claim for older years?
You can backdate up to four tax years. For 2020/21, the deadline is 5 April 2025. After that, the opportunity to claim that year’s allowance is lost.
Q6: What if my partner is self-employed?
That’s fine. As long as your incomes meet the eligibility thresholds, self-employed couples can also claim.
