Blind Person's Allowance

Overview  

Blind Person’s Allowance is an extra amount of tax-free allowance
It means you can earn more before you start paying Income Tax. 

What you'll get 

Blind Person’s Allowance is added to your yearly Personal Allowance - the amount of money you can earn before you start paying Income Tax.  
  • 2019 to 2020 £2,450 
  • 2018 to 2019 £2,390 
If you and your spouse or civil partner are both eligible, you’ll each get an allowance.   
You can transfer your Blind Person’s Allowance to your spouse or civil partner if you do not pay tax or earn enough to use all of your allowance.  

Previous tax years  

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) publishes tables with tax rates that include Blind Person’s Allowance for current and past tax years. 

Eligibility 

England and Wales 
You can claim Blind Person’s Allowance if both of the following apply: 
  • you’re registered with your local council as blind or severely sight impaired 
  • you have a certificate that says you’re blind or severely sight impaired (or a similar document from your doctor) 

How to claim 

Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to claim. 
 
HMRC 
Telephone: 0300 200 3301 
Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm (except bank holidays
Saturday, 8am to 4pm 
Sunday, Closed 

Transfer your allowance 

You can transfer your Blind Person’s Allowance to your spouse or civil partner if you do not pay tax or cannot use all of it.  
You can do this: 
  • if you’re married or in a civil partnership 
  • if you’re living with your spouse or civil partner 
  • whether or not your spouse or civil partner is blind 
You can still transfer your allowance if you’re unable to live with your spouse or civil partner because of: 
  • illness or old age, for example where your spouse or partner is in residential care 
  • working away from home 
  • an armed forces posting 
  • being in prison 
  • training or education 

How to transfer your allowance 

To transfer your allowance to a spouse or civil partner, use form 575 or call HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). 
 
HMRC 
Telephone: 0300 200 3301  
Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm (except bank holidays) 
Saturday, 8am to 4pm 
 
You’ll also get the option to transfer any Married Couple’s Allowance
 
If you’re making a claim to get tax back on savings and investment interest using form R40 you can also ask for a copy of form 575 by ticking the appropriate box. 

Get the form in another format 

Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) if you need the form in a different format, for example Braille.