Check if you qualify and what transferring £1,260 of allowance saves.
Uses the £12,570 Personal Allowance and the £1,260 transfer, which have applied in every year since 2021/22. Backdated years assume you were eligible with similar incomes in each year. Income includes wages, pensions, savings interest, dividends and rental profit.
Is one of you earning less than £12,570 while the other pays basic rate tax? This marriage allowance calculator checks whether you qualify under the GOV.UK Marriage Allowance rules and shows what your household saves this year. It also works out the lump sum you could get by backdating your claim to 2022/23.
Quick answer: A marriage allowance calculator checks whether a couple can move £1,260 of Personal Allowance to the higher earner. The lower earner must have income at or below £12,570 and the higher earner must be a basic rate taxpayer. The saving is £1,260 × 20% = £252 a year, and claims can be backdated to 6 April 2022.
In This Guide
What Is Marriage Allowance?
Marriage Allowance lets a married couple or civil partners move £1,260 of Personal Allowance from the lower earner to the higher earner. The lower earner must have income at or below £12,570, and the higher earner must be a basic rate taxpayer with income between £12,571 and £50,270, or between £12,571 and £43,662 in Scotland.
The saving is £1,260 × 20% = £252 a year, taken off the higher earner's tax bill. The lower earner's own allowance falls to £11,310, so if they earn more than that they pay 20% on the difference. For example, a lower earner on £12,000 pays £138 extra, leaving the couple £114 better off.
How to Use the Marriage Allowance Calculator
Step 1: Choose Your Region
Select where the higher earner pays Income Tax. Scottish taxpayers have a lower upper limit of £43,662 because Scotland has its own tax bands.
Step 2: Enter Both Incomes
Enter each partner's total yearly income before tax, including pensions, savings interest, dividends and rental profit. If one partner works part time, the pro rata salary calculator gives their yearly pay to enter here, so the eligibility check is based on real figures.
Step 3: Choose Years to Backdate
You can backdate a claim to 6 April 2022 for any year you were eligible. Pick how many earlier years to include and the calculator adds them as a lump sum, assuming similar incomes in each year.
Step 4: Read Your Saving
You will see the household saving for 2026/27, the higher earner's tax cut, any extra tax for the lower earner and the backdated total. A self employed partner can use the self employed tax calculator to check their profits sit within the basic rate band before you apply.
Marriage Allowance Examples
| Lower earner | Higher earner | Eligible? | Saving a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| £8,000 | £35,000 | Yes | £252 |
| £12,000 | £30,000 | Yes | £114 |
| £0 | £48,000 | Yes (not in Scotland) | £252 |
| £10,000 | £55,000 | No, higher rate | £0 |
The lower earner makes the claim, and the allowance then renews each year until you cancel it or your circumstances change. HMRC explains how to apply for Marriage Allowance online or by phone, and the extra allowance usually reaches your partner through a new tax code.
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How we checked this tool: the Tools Veria Editorial Team built this tool by hand, checked it against the official rules or published standards where they apply, and tested it against worked examples. Results are estimates for planning, not personal financial or tax advice. Read our editorial policy and disclaimer, or report an error.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is Marriage Allowance worth?
It transfers £1,260 of Personal Allowance to your partner, which cuts their tax by up to £252 a year in 2026/27.
Who can claim Marriage Allowance?
Married couples and civil partners where one earns £12,570 or less and the other pays basic rate tax, which usually means income between £12,571 and £50,270.
What is the Marriage Allowance limit in Scotland?
In Scotland the higher earner must pay the starter, basic or intermediate rate, which usually means income between £12,571 and £43,662.
Can I backdate Marriage Allowance?
Yes. You can backdate a claim to 6 April 2022 for any year you were eligible, which could be worth up to £1,008 for four earlier years on top of this year's £252.
Who should apply for Marriage Allowance?
The lower earner applies, as they are the one transferring part of their Personal Allowance. HMRC then updates the partner's tax code.
Can unmarried couples claim Marriage Allowance?
No. You must be married or in a civil partnership. Couples who live together without marrying cannot claim.