Marriage Allowance Calculator — Save Up to £252 in Tax — UK 2026
Calculate your Marriage Allowance transfer benefit. See if you qualify to transfer £1260 of your Personal Allowance to your spouse and save £252 in tax.
Marriage Allowance lets you transfer £1260 of your Personal Allowance to your husband wife or civil partner if they earn more than you. The lower earner must earn less than the Personal Allowance (£12570) and the higher earner must be a basic rate taxpayer (earning under £50270). The transfer saves the couple £252 per year in tax. You can also backdate claims for up to 4 years potentially receiving a £1000+ lump sum.
Do we qualify for Marriage Allowance?
You qualify if: one partner earns less than £12570 (including stay-at-home parents part-time workers and pensioners with small state pensions) and the other partner earns £12571-£50270 (basic rate taxpayer). You must be married or in a civil partnership — cohabiting couples do not qualify. Couples where the higher earner pays higher rate tax (40%) cannot claim.
Calculate Now
Marriage Allowance Calculator
How Tax Calculation Works
Income tax is calculated on your total taxable income after deducting eligible exemptions and deductions from your gross income. The tax is applied progressively — you pay a lower rate on initial income slabs and higher rates only on income that exceeds each threshold. This means moving into a "higher tax bracket" does not mean your entire income is taxed at the higher rate. Understanding marginal vs effective tax rate is crucial: your marginal rate applies only to the last rupee earned, while your effective rate is the average across all slabs.
Tax-Saving Strategies
Under the old regime, maximize deductions: Section 80C allows up to Rs 1.5 lakh through PPF, ELSS, EPF, and life insurance. Section 80D covers health insurance premiums up to Rs 25,000 (Rs 50,000 for senior citizens). Section 80CCD(1B) offers an additional Rs 50,000 deduction for NPS contributions. Home loan interest up to Rs 2 lakh is deductible under Section 24. Under the new regime, the Rs 75,000 standard deduction and lower slab rates may save you more if your total deductions are below Rs 3.75 lakh. Calculate under both regimes before choosing.
Key Information
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Transferable Amount | £1260 of Personal Allowance |
| Annual Tax Saving | £252 per year |
| Backdate Claim | Up to 4 years (£1008 total) |
| Eligibility (lower earner) | Income below £12570 |
Calculate Marriage Allowance
Get accurate results instantly — 100% free, no signup required
Use Calculator NowFrequently Asked Questions
Do we qualify for Marriage Allowance?
You qualify if: one partner earns less than £12570 (including stay-at-home parents part-time workers and pensioners with small state pensions) and the other partner earns £12571-£50270 (basic rate taxpayer). You must be married or in a civil partnership — cohabiting couples do not qualify. Couples where the higher earner pays higher rate tax (40%) cannot claim.
How to claim Marriage Allowance?
Apply online at gov.uk/marriage-allowance. You need both partners National Insurance numbers. The lower earner applies to transfer their allowance. HMRC adjusts the higher earner tax code to reflect the additional £1260 allowance. The change usually takes effect within weeks. You can also backdate to April 2020 receiving a lump sum refund of up to £1008.
Is Marriage Allowance worth claiming?
At £252/year it is a modest saving but it is completely free money with no cost or risk. Backdating 4 years gives an immediate £1008 lump sum. Over a 30-year marriage that is £7560 in savings for a 10-minute online application. There is no reason not to claim if you qualify. Set a reminder to reconfirm eligibility each year.
What are the UK income tax bands for 2025-26?
Personal Allowance: £0-£12,570 (0%). Basic rate: £12,571-£50,270 (20%). Higher rate: £50,271-£125,140 (40%). Additional rate: over £125,140 (45%). The personal allowance reduces by £1 for every £2 earned over £100,000, creating an effective 60% rate between £100,000-£125,140.
What is the £100,000 tax trap?
When your income exceeds £100,000, you lose £1 of personal allowance for every £2 over. This creates a hidden 60% effective tax rate between £100,000-£125,140. Pension contributions are the most effective way to bring your income below this threshold and reclaim the allowance.
Related Calculators
More Tax Calculators
Last updated: March 2026