Millions of married couples missing out on £1,260 tax relief through overlooked allowance

Problem-solution framing combined with critical commentary on government fiscal policy. The article frames the frozen Personal Allowance as a negative policy outcome ('fiscal drag,' 'heftier bills') before pivoting to a workaround solution, creating an implicit critique of government while offering practical advice.

Households with single-income earners or one non-working partner can recover up to £1,260 in backdated tax relief, providing modest but meaningful relief to middle and lower-income families. However, the frozen Personal Allowance until 2031 creates ongoing fiscal drag, gradually increasing effective tax rates for all workers as wages rise with inflation, reducing real household disposable income.

The article highlights tension in fiscal policy: while Marriage Allowance provides targeted relief for specific household structures, the extended freeze on Personal Allowance thresholds contradicts cost-of-living support objectives. Government may face pressure to either raise thresholds earlier or expand tax relief schemes. The low take-up rate (2 million eligible but claiming) suggests need for improved HMRC communication and simplified claiming processes.