HMRC has increased the tax-free allowance for blind people to £15,820 this tax year. Blind Person’s Allowance, an extra amount of tax-free allowance, rose to £3,250 in April, which marks a £120 boost from the year prior in reference to inflation.
The allowance means blind people can earn more before they start paying Income Tax. It is added to the yearly Personal Allowance – the amount of money you can earn before you start paying Income Tax – which is £12,570 across the UK. This boosts the total of tax-free earnings to £15,820 from the 2026-27 tax year, which began in April.
A government spokesperson confirmed to the Express they were working to update the Government page to reflect this.
In England and Wales, two conditions must be met to claim the allowance. A person must be registered with their local council as blind or severely sight impaired, and have a certificate that says they are blind or severely sight impaired, or a similar document from the doctor.
In Scotland and Northern Ireland, Blind Person’s Allowance can be claimed if eyesight prevents a person from doing work that it is essential for.
The allowance can be transferred to a spouse or civil partner if you do not pay tax or earn enough to use all of your allowance. But if you and your spouse or civil partner are both eligible, you’ll each get an allowance.
To claim, you must contact HMRC by phone on 0300 200 3301.
Government also amended tax-free allowances for older married couples at the start of this tax year. The Married Couple’s Allowance rose from £11,270 to £11,700.
You can claim Married Couple’s Allowance if you’re married or in a civil partnership, living with your spouse or civil partner and one of you was born before April 6, 1935.
For marriages before 5 December 2005, the husband’s income is used to work out Married Couple’s Allowance. For marriage and civil partnerships after this date, it’s the income of the highest earner.