Can I also submit an income tax return as a student?
June 23, 2024 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Tatiana Herrmann
Dear tax advisor,
My name is Benjamin Lange and I am currently enrolled as a student. In the past few months, I have been working a part-time job alongside my studies, earning approximately 450 euros per month. Now I am wondering if it makes sense for me as a student to submit an income tax return.
I am unsure if I am even obligated to submit an income tax return as a student. Additionally, I am wondering if it is financially worthwhile to submit a tax return when I only have low income from a part-time job. I am also thinking about which documents I would need for a potential tax return and how to submit them correctly.
Could you please explain to me if I, as a student, have to submit an income tax return and if it is worthwhile in my case? What documents do I need for this and how should I proceed to submit my tax return correctly?
Thank you in advance for your help.
Sincerely,
Benjamin Lange
Dear Mr. Lange,
Thank you for your question regarding the income tax return as a student with a mini job. I am happy to help you and explain everything you need to know about this.
In general, students are also required to submit an income tax return if they have income that exceeds the basic tax-free allowance. For the year 2021, this basic tax-free allowance is 9,744 euros. Since you earned about 450 euros per month, your annual income is approximately 5,400 euros, which is below the basic tax-free allowance. This means that as a student with a mini job, you are not obligated to submit an income tax return.
However, it may still be beneficial for students to submit a tax return. Even if you are below the basic tax-free allowance and do not have to pay taxes, you may still be eligible for a refund. This could be the case, for example, if you had deductible expenses during the year, such as travel expenses to the university, or special expenses, such as health insurance contributions. These can be claimed in your tax return and reduce your tax burden.
If you decide to submit a tax return, you will typically need the following documents: your wage tax statement from your employer, any receipts for deductible expenses or special expenses, your bank account details for a possible refund, and any other income proof. You can either prepare your tax return yourself and submit it electronically via Elster, or get assistance from a tax advisor.
I hope that this information was helpful to you. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me.
Best regards,
Tatiana Herrmann
