Consumer champion Martin Lewis has issued an urgent financial alert that could put thousands of pounds back in the pockets of married couples and civil partners across Britain.
The Money Saving Expert founder revealed that hundreds of thousands of people are still missing out on valuable Marriage Tax Allowance claims, with some eligible for backdated payments totalling over £1,000 and ongoing annual benefits worth £252.
What Is Marriage Tax Allowance?
This little-known government scheme allows married couples and civil partners to transfer part of their personal tax-free allowance between them. To qualify, one partner must be a non-taxpayer while the other pays basic rate tax.
"This isn't a niche benefit," Martin emphasised during his recent ITV show. "We're talking about hundreds of thousands, possibly over a million people, who are eligible but haven't claimed."
How Much Could You Claim?
The potential windfall is substantial:
- Up to £1,256 in backdated payments if you've been eligible for previous tax years
- An ongoing annual reduction of £252 in your tax bill
- Some couples could receive over £10,000 in total benefits over the years
Who Exactly Qualifies?
You must meet these criteria:
- Be married or in a civil partnership
- One partner doesn't pay income tax or earns less than £12,570 annually
- The other partner pays basic rate income tax (earning between £12,571 and £50,270 in England and Wales)
- Both partners were born after April 6, 1935
The Four-Year Time Limit Warning
Martin stressed the crucial deadline: "You can only backdate claims for four tax years. If you were eligible in 2019-20, you need to claim before April 5, 2024, or you'll lose that year's entitlement forever."
This creates an urgent situation for many couples who may have been eligible for years but unaware of the scheme.
How to Claim Your Money
The application process is straightforward through the GOV.UK website and takes about 15 minutes. You'll need both partners' National Insurance numbers and proof of identity.
Once approved, the tax adjustment happens automatically each year, providing ongoing financial relief without the need to reapply.
Martin's final advice was clear: "Check today - this is free money that's rightfully yours. Don't let the deadline pass and miss out on what could be thousands of pounds."
