The tax year ends on April 5, 2026, and an expert is urging people to take action to avoid missing out
One group of people are being urged to take action before a key HMRC deadline. Married couples are being urged to act within days to unlock one of the easiest tax savings available before the end of the tax year, with one expert saying: “Don’t accidentally gift HMRC £252 by missing the deadline.”
With the April 5 deadline fast approaching, eligible couples can secure up to £252 a year through the Government’s Marriage Allowance – and potentially more than £1,000 if they backdate their claim. This allows a lower-earning spouse to transfer £1,260 of their unused personal allowance to their partner, provided the recipient is a basic-rate taxpayer.
In simple terms, if one partner earns below the personal allowance threshold of £12,579 and the other pays tax, a straightforward transfer can reduce the couple’s overall tax bill. Despite its simplicity, thousands of eligible couples fail to claim it each year, often because they are unaware it exists or assume the process is complicated.
Samuel Mather-Holgate, managing director of Mather and Murray Financial, said the allowance was one of the most overlooked tax opportunities available.
He added: “This is one of the easiest tax wins available right now, especially this close to the tax year end. If one spouse earns below the personal allowance and the other is a taxpayer, transferring £1,260 can result in a saving of up to £252 every year. Don’t accidentally gift HMRC £252 by missing the deadline.”
Samuel said that many couples could be sitting on even bigger savings without realising it and the process itself was quick and straightforward, with applications taking just minutes online via HMRC. With the cost of living continuing to put pressure on household finances, this is a simple, practical way to boost income without changing spending habits.
He continued: “If you’ve forgotten to do it, you can backdate it up to four years. That means this simple step could be worth over £1,000 in total.
“It’s the tax equivalent of finding money at the back of the sofa. It’s a five-minute form for what could be a four-figure benefit.”
Timing is crucial, Samuel said. While applications can technically be made at any point, those looking to maximise their claim, particularly for the current tax year, should act before the April 5 cut-off.
Paper applications are possible, but Samuel warned they risk missing the deadline due to slower processing times, meaning couples could lose out on this year’s saving.
Couples must be married or in a civil partnership, and the higher earner must remain within the basic-rate tax band to qualify for the full benefit.
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