Can I claim Tax Relief on College Fees?
Any individual can claim tax relief on qualifying Third Level fees. Qualifying fees means tuition fees, including student contribution. Unfortunately no relief is available for registration fees, examination fees, or administration fees.
Amount of Relief
Tax Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%. The maximum amount of relief in respect of qualifying fees is €7,000 per student in 2016. NB: First €3,000(full time course) or €1,500(part-time course) is discarded.
Examples:
My son is in College and I paid €3,000
in tuition fees, is any Tax Relief due?
No, as the amount which qualifies for relief does exceed excess of €3,000 therefore, no relief is due.
I have two Children in college and paid €6,000
in tuition fees, is any Tax Relief due?
Yes Tax Relief is due on excess over €3,000 which is €3,000 as follows:
€3,000 X 20% = €600 Tax Credit
I have two children in Private College and paid €11,000 in fees, am I due Relief?
Yes provided the course is an approved third level course, relief would apply. Tax relief would be available on the excess over €3,000; which is €8,000 in this example, assuming fees are split between children, relief as follows:
€8,000 X 20% = €1,600 Tax Credit
Note the Maximum of €7,000 is per student so wouldn’t apply in this case.
