Neil MacGillivray: Will the tax advantages for married couples and civil partnerships remain a happy home?

clock • 3 min read

The new calendar year has come and gone and so, as we start the edge closer to the end of the tax year, Neil MacGillivray looks at the planning opportunities available to married couples and civil partners

Historically, married couples and those in civil partnerships have been in a more tax privileged position - such as with income, capital gains and inheritance tax - than those couples who cohabit. Many see this, understandably, as outdated and unfair, and the recent challenge of the Marriage Allowance by Labour also reflects this view. There is an abundance of tax planning opportunities for couples, so for this article I thought I would look at the Marriage Allowance and Married Couples Allowance, both of which are available to those in marriages as well as civil partnerships. Both allow...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Tax planning

The UK's immigration/tax disconnect on global wealth

The UK's immigration/tax disconnect on global wealth

The UK has no dedicated immigration route for internationally mobile private wealth

John Kiely and Simon Malkiel
clock 29 January 2026 • 6 min read
IHT receipts continue to climb ahead of 2027 pension changes

IHT receipts continue to climb ahead of 2027 pension changes

April – December 2025 saw Treasury net £6.6bn from estates

Jenna Brown
clock 22 January 2026 • 3 min read
Octopus' Kristy Barr: Estate planning innovation crucial as govt shifts goalposts

Octopus' Kristy Barr: Estate planning innovation crucial as govt shifts goalposts

Last two Budgets have ‘caused a lot of uncertainty, a lot of disruption’

Jenna Brown
clock 20 January 2026 • 8 min read