WITH 500,000 people eligible for receiving Marriage Allowance in the South East, married couples are being reminded to apply for a Christmas cash boost by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Applying online for Marriage Allowance – a tax break for married couples – is quick and easy. The allowance means a spouse or civil partner who doesn’t pay tax – either because they are not earning at all or because they’re earning below £10,600 – can transfer up to £1,060 of their personal tax-free allowance to a spouse or civil partner as long as the recipient of the transfer doesn’t pay more than the basic rate of income tax. This can help save couples up to £212 per year.

Ruth Owen, director general of personal tax for HMRC, said: “Marriage Allowance means couples up and down the country can get a bit of extra support at a time of year when we all need a little more cash.

“Whether you use it to buy presents for the family or put it away for a rainy day Marriage Allowance means saving £212 on your tax bill every year.

“People can apply at any point in the tax year and still receive the full benefit of the allowance.”

Couples can apply at gov.uk/marriage-allowance.