If you or a family member are paying tuition fees for approved courses, you may be entitled to tax relief at 20%. This applies to third-level education, postgraduate courses, and certain professional training.
Our specialists help people claim tuition fee relief alongside other tax credits and reliefs. Here's what you need to know.
📊 Tuition Fee Relief Key Facts
- Relief rate: 20% of qualifying fees
- Disregard: First €3,000 (full-time) or €1,500 (part-time)
- Maximum claim: €7,000 per course
- Who can claim: Person who paid the fees
What Qualifies for Relief?
You can claim relief on tuition fees paid for:
- Undergraduate courses – degrees, diplomas, certificates
- Postgraduate courses – masters, PhDs
- Approved foreign institutions – recognised universities abroad
- IT/language courses – in certain approved formats
The course must be at least two academic years in duration (one year for postgrad) and lead to a recognised qualification.
How the Relief is Calculated
You get 20% relief on tuition fees above a disregard amount:
💡 Example Calculation
If you pay €8,000 in tuition fees for a full-time course: €8,000 - €3,000 (disregard) = €5,000 qualifying fees. Relief = 20% × €5,000 = €1,000 tax back.
Who Can Claim?
The person who paid the fees claims the relief—even if the student is someone else. You can claim for:
- Your own education
- Your child's education
- Any dependent's education
Other Reliefs to Claim
When we review your tax, we also check for:
- Rent tax credit – up to €1,000/year
- Medical expenses – 20% relief
- Flat rate expenses – for many professions
- Emergency tax – from job changes
The average refund our clients receive is €1,080.
Paid Tuition Fees?
Our experts will claim tuition relief and find all your other reliefs too.
Start Your Free Review →No refund, no fee • Average refund €1,080 • TAIN: 77632V
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim for fees paid in previous years?
Yes—you can backdate claims for four years. In 2025, you can claim for fees paid in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
What if I got a grant?
You can only claim relief on fees you paid yourself—not amounts covered by grants or scholarships.
Do student contribution charges count?
Student contribution charges don't qualify for relief—only actual tuition fees.