--- title: "Government Pledges Income Tax Relief for Married Couples Ahead of Budget" date: 2026-10-25T14:01:00.802+00:00 updated: 2026-10-26T11:02:18.036+00:00 topics: ["Politics", "Economy", "National"] canonical: https://filqosor.com/article/2026-10-25/government-pledges-income-tax-relief-for-married-couples-ahead-of-budget source: Fil-Qosor --- # Government Pledges Income Tax Relief for Married Couples Ahead of Budget ## In brief - Prime Minister Robert Abela announced that couples earning up to €60,000 annually will pay no income tax. - The upcoming national budget will also include a €10 weekly increase in pensions. - The government framed the measures as protection against broader economic austerity seen across Europe. Prime Minister Robert Abela has announced major income tax exemptions aimed at middle-class families during a political rally on the eve of the presentation of Budget 2027. Under the proposed measures, married couples earning up to €60,000 annually will not be required to pay any income tax. Speaking to party supporters, Abela stated that the forthcoming fiscal package would establish Malta as the only country to offer such tax relief to middle-income couples. He positioned the reform as a cornerstone of the administration's broader financial plan for the coming year. In addition to the revised income tax brackets, the Prime Minister revealed that pensions will rise by €10 per week. The measure is intended to provide sustained purchasing power for elderly residents amid shifting living costs. Abela contrasted the government's approach with policies implemented across several other European nations. He argued that the domestic economic framework has successfully insulated local households and commercial enterprises from widespread fiscal austerity and budgetary cutbacks. The rally address also featured criticism of the Opposition's financial positions. Abela alleged that alternative political proposals would involve reductions to social support and public investment, asserting that the government's agenda prioritises continued domestic relief. The full details of the income tax overhaul, pension adjustments, and corresponding economic provisions are scheduled to be formally tabled in Parliament during tomorrow's annual budget address. Prime Minister Robert Abela has announced additional measures for the upcoming national budget, confirming that tax reductions for parents will be doubled. Speaking on Sunday, Abela stated that the forthcoming budget would focus heavily on social investment and easing financial burdens on families. The Prime Minister pledged that the budget would be "stronger" than previous packages, promising greater investment in people rather than public spending cuts. The doubled parental tax relief complements previously announced social measures, including a weekly pension increase of €10, as the administration sets out its economic priorities ahead of the formal presentation. ## The Spin Room **Low media divide.** Both outlets reported the Prime Minister's pre-budget announcements consistently without notable framing differences. ## Updates - **2026-10-25:** Updated with reporting from ONE News: the Prime Minister confirmed that full administrative details for the doubled parental tax cuts and weekly pension rise will be formally tabled with the budget in Parliament. - **2026-10-26:** Updated with reporting from Times of Malta and Lovin Malta: Prime Minister Robert Abela delivered the address at the Orpheum Theatre in Gżira, confirming the €10 weekly pension increase represents an annual boost of €520. ## Sources (7, 6 outlets) - [ONE News](https://one.com.mt/il-pm-jghid-li-fil-bagit-se-jirdoppja-t-tnaqqis-fit-taxxa-ghall-haddiema-genituri-u-terga-tizdied-il-pensjoni/) - [Newsbook](https://newsbook.com.mt/en/abela-promises-zero-income-tax-for-middle-class/) - [Times of Malta](https://timesofmalta.com/article/tax-cuts-working-parents-set-double-robert-abela.1136132) - [The Maltese Herald](https://themalteseherald.com/2026/10/25/prime-minister-announced-income-tax-reduction-for-married-couples/) - [Lovin Malta](https://lovinmalta.com/news/news-politics/working-parents-to-receive-double-tax-benefit-in-budget-2027-abela-announces/) - [Lovin Malta](https://lovinmalta.com/news/news-politics/pensioners-to-receive-extra-e10-a-week-amounting-to-e520-a-year-in-budget-2027/) - [The Malta Independent](https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2026-10-24/local-news/Abela-promises-stronger-Budget-with-greater-investment-in-people-6736294076) ## More stories - [Budget 2027: New Fee Hikes and Benefit Restrictions Target Non-EU Workers](https://filqosor.com/article/2026-10-27/budget-2027-new-fee-hikes-benefit-restrictions-non-eu-workers) (2026-10-27) - [Budget 2027 Unveiled with Worker Bonus, Tax Cuts, and Rising Deficit](https://filqosor.com/article/2026-10-26/budget-2027-unveiled-worker-bonus-tax-cuts-rising-deficit) (2026-10-26) - [Government Unveils 'Malta Miegħek' as Budget 2027 Theme](https://filqosor.com/article/2026-10-24/government-unveils-malta-mieghek-as-budget-2027-theme) (2026-10-24) --- Generated and reviewed by AI; verify critical facts with the primary sources. 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