Student Tax Refund Calculator
Did your employer take income tax from your salary? Many students and graduates in Germany get some or all of it back with a tax return. Estimate your refund in two minutes, using the numbers on your annual payslip.
Free, no sign-upTax years 2025 and 2026Up to 4 years back
1Your income
Find these on your annual payslip (Lohnsteuerbescheinigung) from your employer. Add up the numbers if you had several jobs.
Students insured as students: enter the student insurance premiums you paid yourself.
2Work-related costs (optional)
You automatically get a 1,230 euro allowance for work costs. Enter your costs; if they are higher, they count instead.
6 euros per day, maximum 210 days.
Semester fees, books, laptop, travel to university.
📝 How to claim your refund
- Get your annual payslip (Lohnsteuerbescheinigung) from each employer. You need your tax ID (Steuer-ID).
- File your return online for free with ELSTER (elster.de), the official portal of the tax office, or with a tax app.
- If you are not required to file, you can still claim a refund voluntarily for up to four years back.
- Keep receipts for your costs. The tax office may ask for them.
- The refund is paid to your bank account, usually a few weeks to a few months after filing.
Sources
- Income tax formula 2025 and 2026: German Income Tax Act, section 32a (basic tax-free allowance 12,096 euros in 2025, 12,348 euros in 2026).
- Commuting allowance 2026: 38 cents per kilometre from the first kilometre (VLH, changes for 2026). 2025: 30 cents for the first 20 km, 38 cents from km 21.
This is a simplified estimate for single people without children, last checked October 2026. It is not tax advice. Your actual refund depends on your full tax return. For complex cases, ask a tax advisor or an income tax help association (Lohnsteuerhilfeverein).
