Over one million couples missing out on tax break worth up to £900 - HMRC

Many couples are missing out on a tax break which could boost their finances by up to £900 - just by spending a few minutes filling in an online form.

More than a million couples are still eligible for a tax break worth up to £238 per year, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has said.

Around three million couples across the UK have already taken up the Marriage Allowance.

As well as a potential tax break of up to £238 annually, eligible customers can also receive backdated claims of up to £662 as a lump sum.

HMRC said a new online form can take under 10 minutes to fill in.

People have a tax-free personal allowance of £11,850 and no tax is due on income up to this amount.

The Marriage Allowance allows a spouse or civil partner who is a non-taxpayer to transfer £1,190 of their tax-free personal allowance to their partner - reducing their tax bill.

To be eligible, the non-taxpayer's partner's income needs to be between £11,851 and £46,350, or £43,430 in Scotland.

Around four million married couples stand to benefit from the Marriage Allowance, which was introduced in April 2015.

Mel Stride, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said: "I'd urge those that haven't yet managed to claim the money to do so right away - it's quick and easy to apply."

Applications can be made at www.gov.uk/marriage-allowance.