If you're paying for third-level education in Ireland, you may be entitled to tax relief on tuition fees. This can be worth hundreds or even thousands of euros, yet many families miss out because they don't know how to claim it.
📊 Tuition Fees Relief Key Facts 2025
- Relief rate: 20% of qualifying fees
- Disregard amount: First €3,000 per student
- Maximum relief: €7,000 per course
- Claim period: Up to 4 years back
How Tuition Fees Tax Relief Works
Tuition fees tax relief allows you to claim back 20% of qualifying tuition fees paid for approved third-level courses. The relief is available to:
- Students who pay their own fees
- Parents who pay fees for their children
- Anyone else who pays the fees on behalf of a student
For official information, visit Revenue.ie - Tuition Fees Relief.
How Much Can You Claim?
The calculation works as follows:
- Take your total qualifying tuition fees
- Subtract the disregard amount (€3,000 for full-time, €1,500 for part-time)
- Calculate 20% of the remaining amount
Example Calculation
💡 Multiple Students
If you're paying fees for more than one student, the disregard only applies once (not per student). This makes the relief more valuable for families with multiple children in college.
What Courses Qualify?
To qualify for relief, the course must be:
- An undergraduate or postgraduate course
- At least 2 years duration (1 year for postgraduate)
- At an approved college in Ireland, EU, UK, or other approved countries
- Leading to a recognised qualification
Note: The Student Contribution (currently €3,000 for most students) counts as tuition fees for relief purposes.
What Fees Don't Qualify?
You cannot claim relief on:
- Examination or administration fees
- Registration fees
- Fees paid by grants or scholarships
- Accommodation or living costs
How to Claim Tuition Fees Relief
You can claim through Revenue myAccount:
- Log into Revenue myAccount
- Go to Review Your Tax for the relevant year
- Select Tuition Fees under credits and reliefs
- Enter the fees paid and course details
- Submit your claim
You can claim for the last 4 years, so in 2025 you can claim for fees paid in 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021.
Need Help Claiming Tuition Fees Relief?
Our team can review your tax history and ensure you claim all reliefs you're entitled to.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can parents claim for adult children's fees?
Yes, whoever pays the fees can claim the relief, regardless of the student's age. If you pay your adult child's fees, you can claim the relief on your own tax.
Is the Student Contribution covered?
Yes, the Student Contribution (€3,000 for most students) is treated as tuition fees for relief purposes. If this is your only fee, you won't get relief as it equals the disregard amount, but it counts toward the threshold if you have additional fees.
What about repeat years?
You can claim relief for fees paid for repeat years, provided the course still meets the qualifying criteria.
Can I claim for courses abroad?
Yes, courses at approved colleges in the EU, UK, and certain other countries qualify. Check Revenue's approved list or contact them directly.