Contributed by ACCA, in their own word

The transfer of a portion of personal allowances between spouses or civil partners has been announced. 

In the Autumn Statement 2013, the government announced its intention to recognise marriage and civil partnership in the income tax system. It was proposed that this would be done by allowing the transfer of a portion of personal allowances between spouses or civil partners.

For 2015/16 a spouse or civil partner, who is not liable to income tax above the basic rate, will be able to transfer up to £1,050 of their personal allowance to their spouse or civil partner, but only if that individual is not liable to income tax above the basic rate.

From 2016/17 the transferable amount will be 10% of the basic personal allowance.

Transfer of personal allowances will NOT be available for married couples or civil partnerships entitled to claim the married couple’s allowance.