Tax Refunds in Germany (Steuererklärung): Can International Students Get Money Back? (2026)
By Nguyen Duc Minh
Tax Refunds in Germany (Steuererklärung): Can International Students Get Money Back? (2026)
If you work alongside your studies in Germany and see wage tax (Lohnsteuer) deducted on your payslip every month, here's good news: you very likely can get most — or even all — of it back. The way to do it is by filing a tax return (Steuererklärung), often the most rewarding "bonus" of a student's year.
This article explains who gets money back, which costs are deductible, and which tool is worth using. Note: rules and figures change every year — check the official source or ask a tax advisor (Steuerberater) for your situation.
📋 Tax Refunds at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| What | a voluntary return to reclaim wage tax already deducted |
| Who | students with a job where Lohnsteuer was withheld |
| How far back | usually up to 4 years |
| Tools | ELSTER (free) or paid apps |
| Needed first | Steuer-ID + Lohnsteuerbescheinigung |
| Result | a refund to your account (if eligible) |
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🎯 Why Do Students Often Get Money Back?
Germany has a basic tax-free allowance (Grundfreibetrag) — a first slice of annual income that stays untaxed. Most students earn below it and therefore, on paper, owe no income tax.
But when an employer pays you through regular payroll, they still withhold Lohnsteuer up front based on your tax class (Steuerklasse), as if you worked all year. If your yearly income ends up below the threshold, that deduction was too much — and you reclaim it by filing a tax return. You'll need your Steuer-ID and your Lohnsteuerbescheinigung (the year-end tax statement from your employer); see more on the Steuer-ID & tax numbers.
For students the return is usually a voluntary filing (Antragsveranlagung) — you don't have to, but it almost always pays off. Such a voluntary return can normally be filed up to 4 years back.
🔍 Who Can Claim — and What's Deductible?
The key to a refund is work-related costs (Werbungskosten) — expenses tied to your job or studies. The more fully you declare them, the bigger the refund.
| Item | Deductible? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Commuting to work (Pendlerpauschale) | ✅ | based on distance to your workplace |
| Work materials | ✅ | laptop, textbooks, supplies |
| Application costs | ✅ | printing, travel to interviews |
| Study costs (first degree) | ⚠️ | limited — usually only Sonderausgaben |
| Study costs (Master/second degree) | ✅ | treated more favourably (Werbungskosten) |
| Minijob (flat-rate taxed) | ❌ | usually not via this route |
An important note on tuition and study costs: for a first degree, Germany usually allows them only as Sonderausgaben (capped per year, with no loss carried forward). For a Master or second degree, study costs can count as Werbungskosten — and a loss can be "carried" into later years once you earn. That's why many people file even for years with no income.
🧮 How Much Do You Realistically Get Back?
There's no fixed figure — the refund depends on your annual income, the Lohnsteuer withheld, and the Werbungskosten you claim. As a rule of thumb:
- If you earned below the tax-free allowance for the year but had Lohnsteuer deducted, you usually get almost all of it back.
- If you earned above it, Werbungskosten lower your taxable income, so a partial refund is still possible.
- Contributions to social insurance (pension, health…) are a separate matter and usually not refunded like Lohnsteuer.
Student jobs are taxed differently by contract type — Minijob, Werkstudent, or HiWi each follow their own rules. If you plan to send a refund (or wages) to Vietnam, see how to save on transfer fees.
> 💡 Tip: Keep every receipt connected to work and study (laptop, books, train tickets, exam fees). Even a "no income" year is worth filing during a Master's — the loss can boost refunds in later years.
📝 How to File: ELSTER or an App?
There are two main routes: the official portal ELSTER (free) or paid apps that guide you with questions.
| Criterion | ELSTER (official) | Paid app (WISO Steuer / Taxfix…) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | free | a fee per return |
| Language | mostly German | English often available |
| Ease of use | dry, lots of jargon | guided Q&A, beginner-friendly |
| Refund estimate | limited | estimates your refund before sending |
| Best for | confident, simple cases | beginners who want convenience |
Both file to the same tax office (Finanzamt). ELSTER requires a prior account (an activation code by post, a few days' wait), so register early. Apps like WISO Steuer or Taxfix charge a fee but usually offer English and estimate your refund as you type — handy for a first return.
⚠️ Common Mistakes & Tips
- Assuming "low pay means no need to file": this group often gets the most back — don't leave your own money behind.
- Forgetting the Lohnsteuerbescheinigung: you need its figures to file; the employer issues it after year-end.
- Missing the look-back deadline: a voluntary return usually only goes back about 4 years — act early.
- Confusing a Minijob with a Lohnsteuer job: a flat-rate-taxed Minijob usually isn't filed this way; focus on jobs with Lohnsteuer withheld.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Do international students have to file a tax return? Most don't (it's a voluntary filing). But if Lohnsteuer was deducted, filing almost always pays off because you usually get something back.
How many years can I file retroactively? A voluntary return can usually be filed about 4 years back. If you forgot this year, earlier years are often still open — check the current deadline.
What if my German is weak? Use an app with an English interface (such as Taxfix/WISO) for a guided process — or a tax advisor (Steuerberater) for complex cases.
Do I get anything back from a Minijob? A Minijob is usually flat-rate taxed and isn't filed this way. Refunds mainly apply to jobs with Lohnsteuer withheld (e.g. Werkstudent).
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Working while studying, understanding your payslip, and reclaiming your tax the right way — StudienA is with you from the paperwork to the finances of studying in Germany.
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