Tax relief on tuition fees
20% of qualifying fees up to €7,000 per course per year, after the first €3,000 (full time) or €1,500 (part time) of each claim is disregarded.
Last checked October 2026
What it is
Claim 20% tax relief on qualifying third-level tuition fees you have paid, above a yearly disregard amount. Budget 2027 announced that the yearly disregard will be reduced to align with the Student Contribution Fee. No start date is given and the new amounts are not stated, so check Revenue before relying on the €3,000 and €1,500 disregard figures.
Who can get it
- You paid the fees yourself, for yourself or someone else. Fees paid by a grant, scholarship or employer do not count
- The course is an approved undergraduate course of at least two years. An approved postgraduate course of one to four years also counts, if you already hold an undergraduate degree or equivalent
- The college is approved, in Ireland, the EU or the UK. Private colleges count only if they are on Revenue's approved list. For a postgraduate course, a public or accredited university anywhere in the world counts
- The disregard applies once per claim, not per student. Two full-time students paying €2,500 each: €5,000 less €3,000 leaves €2,000. 20% of that is €400
- The student contribution counts as a qualifying fee. Administration fees and levies do not
- A single full-time student paying only the €2,500 student contribution gets nothing back, because it is under the €3,000 disregard
- You can claim for the previous four years. Keep your receipts for six years
- It is relief at the standard rate of tax, 20%. A jointly assessed couple share it in proportion to the tax each has paid.
How to apply
Claim in myAccount during the year. You can also claim afterwards through your income tax return for that year. Self-assessed people claim on Form 11. If you do not have myAccount you can send a written claim to your Revenue office on Form IT31.
Go to the official page →Checked against the official source on 7 October 2026. Always confirm the details on the official page before applying.
Questions people ask
How much tax relief do I get on college fees?
20% of qualifying fees up to €7,000 per course, after the first €3,000 of each claim for full-time courses. For part-time courses the first €1,500 is disregarded.
Can I claim tax relief on the student contribution?
Yes, it counts as a qualifying fee. But one full-time student paying only the €2,500 contribution gets nothing back, because it is under the €3,000 disregard.
Can I claim tax relief for fees I paid for my child?
Yes. The person who paid the fees claims the relief.
How far back can I claim tax relief on tuition fees?
Four years, through myAccount.
Related guides
- Bursary for Young People with Care Experience
- SUSI Student Grant
- Free Fees Initiative
- Student Assistance Fund
- Fund for Students with Disabilities
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