Tax Returns for Students: Secure Money for Later.
Deduct your educational expenses and, if you’re pursuing a second degree, check whether you can carry forward a tax loss. This is especially helpful if your educational expenses exceed your taxable income.
Hosted in Germany Security | Performance | TrustWhy Filing a Tax Return While in College Is So Valuable
In a second degree program (master’s, second vocational training, dual study program following initial vocational training), educational expenses are considered income-related expenses. However, a loss carryforward only occurs if your deductible expenses exceed your taxable income—or if, for example, you only have a mini-job taxed at a flat rate. In that case, the tax office can carry forward the loss and offset it against your income later.
basic exemption
for investment income
: Loss carryforward for a second degree (master’s)
How to claim your expenses as a student
Even without income, filing a tax return can make sense—especially if you’re pursuing a second degree.
Specify your student status
First or second degree? Part-time job, student job, or mini-job? taxtastic automatically recognizes which options are available to you.
Enter your educational expenses
Tuition fees, transportation costs, laptop, textbooks, semester abroad—taxtastic tracks all tax-deductible expenses.
Check for tax loss carryforwards or refunds
taxtastic checks whether a loss carryforward applies or if your expenses have a direct impact. The key factor is: Your educational expenses must exceed your taxable income—or your part-time job must be taxed at a flat rate.
As a student, you can deduct these expenses
Especially for a second degree (master’s, second vocational training), nearly all study-related expenses are deductible as income-related expenses.
Tuition and Semester Fees
Semester fees, tuition, exam fees, and costs for materials are deductible as income-related expenses during a second degree program.
Laptop, Tablet, & Software
Laptops, tablets, software, and accessories for your studies can be considered work-related equipment. Computers and software can be fully deducted in the year of purchase, regardless of the purchase price.
Travel Expenses to University
Commuting allowance to university: €0.38/km starting in 2026 (one-way trip). Alternatively, the full cost of a semester pass is deductible.
Semester Abroad
Tuition fees abroad, travel expenses, lodging, and additional meal costs—all are deductible for study-related stays abroad.
How the tax return works while in school
Example of a master’s student with a part-time job. In this case, there is no tax loss carryforward because the income exceeds the cost of education—but the expenses can directly affect your tax liability.
- Semester tuition: €640
- Laptop & software: €1,100
- Textbooks: €280
- Commuting costs to university in 2026 (18 km, 180 days): €1,231
- Study materials & copies: €150
Why Students Use taxtastic
Check for tax loss carryforwards
Track the costs of your second degree and check whether this results in a loss carryforward for your career start.
Often done in 15 minutes
Just a few simple questions. Perfect for students who are short on time.
Tax Tips for Students
taxtastic shows you exactly which expenses you can deduct—even things you might not have thought of.
Automatic Check
Your tax return is checked for errors before you submit it.
ELSTER Submission
Direct, secure submission to the tax office.
Try it for free
Create your return completely free of charge. You only pay when you submit it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a first and a second degree?
For a first degree (bachelor’s without prior vocational training), costs are only deductible as special expenses (max. €6,000/year, no loss carryforward). For a second degree (Master’s, second vocational training, dual study program following initial vocational training), educational expenses are considered income-related expenses—with no limit and the ability to carry forward losses.
Is it worth filing a tax return if you have no income?
For a second degree: Yes. If you have no taxable income, your educational expenses may result in a loss. The tax office can carry forward this loss and offset it against your future income.
When does a loss carryforward not apply?
A loss carryforward does not occur automatically. If your taxable income for the year exceeds your deductible educational expenses, no loss remains after offsetting. Example: If you have a student job with payroll tax withholding and your income exceeds your educational expenses, the expenses do not result in a loss carryforward.
What is a loss carryforward?
If your income-related expenses (e.g., tuition costs for a master’s degree) exceed your taxable income, a loss is incurred. The tax office records this amount and offsets it against future income—you’ll then pay less tax later on.
As a working student, can I receive a direct refund?
Yes, if income tax was withheld from your working student job, your educational expenses can have an immediate effect. However, a loss carryforward only occurs if your deductible expenses exceed your taxable income.
What about a mini-job?
For a mini-job taxed at a flat rate, your wages are normally not included in your income tax return. In this case, educational expenses for a second degree are more likely to result in a loss carryforward. If, on the other hand, the mini-job is processed using your payroll tax withholding information, it is treated like other earned income.
Are costs for your first degree (bachelor’s) not deductible at all?
Yes, but only as special expenses (up to €6,000 per year). This only helps if you also have taxable income in the same year. Unfortunately, a loss carryforward isn’t possible for your first degree.
Student-Friendly Prices
Try taxtastic completely free of charge. You don’t pay until you file your tax return.
For students—includes verification of loss carryforwards
- Loss carryforwards automatically reviewed
- Tuition costs as income-related expenses
- Commuting expenses & semester ticket
- Part-time jobs, student jobs, and mini-jobs taken into account
- ELSTER submission included
Deduct education expenses. Check for loss carryforwards.
*A loss carryforward only arises if your deductible education expenses exceed your taxable income or if your wages—for example, from a mini-job—were taxed at a flat rate. The actual tax impact depends on your specific tax situation.