As the new tax year rolls in, many people are faced with tax bills and adjustments to their personal finances. However, there is a way to legally boost your tax-free personal allowance. According to Express, if you’re registered as blind or severely sight-impaired, you could be eligible to increase your Personal Tax Allowance by £3,130, bringing it up to £15,700 for the tax year.
This increase means that you would pay no tax on the first £15,700 you earn, leaving you with an extra £626 in your pocket. The additional allowance comes courtesy of the Blind Person’s Allowance, available to those who meet certain conditions.
Eligibility and Benefits
To qualify for the Blind Person’s Allowance, you don’t have to be completely blind—just registered with your local council as blind or severely sight-impaired. If you meet this condition, your tax-free allowance increases automatically.
In addition, you can transfer this allowance to your spouse or civil partner if you don’t have enough income to use it yourself. If both you and your partner qualify, you can both benefit from the increased allowance at the same time.
How to Claim
To claim the Blind Person’s Allowance, you’ll need to be registered with your local council and provide a certificate confirming your blindness or severe sight impairment. In England and Wales, you can claim by contacting HMRC directly at 0300 200 3301.
If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, the process may vary slightly. You can still claim the allowance if you can’t do work requiring eyesight and have a valid certificate from a doctor or relevant authority.
Other allowances, such as the Married Couples Allowance, could further boost your tax-free income if you qualify.
