Married woman aged over 40 who would not have worked for five years will not be charged income tax from next year if they return to work, as long as their pay does not exceed the minimum wage, Finance Minister Edward Scicluna said in parliament this evening.

He said husbands of such female workers would continue to be able to submit a tax computation for married couples and the wife’s income would not be considered. This benefit will continue for five years.

This will mean a saving of some €500 where the husband is on an average salary, the minister said.