Tax Return Without a Tax Advisor: Is It Worth It for Students?

For many students with a part-time job, doing the tax return without a tax advisor is worthwhile. The effort is manageable, and income tax withheld from wages often comes back. Whether it pays off for you depends on your income, your work-related expenses and the assessment year. The sections below show when self-preparation makes sense and when professional help is worth the cost.

The most important points

• The basic allowance for 2026 is 12,348 euros (section 32a EStG). Below that amount, no income tax is due.
• The employee flat deduction for 2026 is 1,230 euros (section 9a EStG) and applies even without receipts.
• The standard deadline for assessment year 2026 is 31 July 2027. Because that day is a Saturday, the deadline moves to 2 August 2027.
• A refund is most realistic for wage tax withheld from part-time jobs and working student contracts.
• For complex income or deadline problems, professional advice can be useful.

When is the return worth it for students?

The key question is whether you paid wage tax that can be refunded through your assessment. Students with a minijob or working student contract often had tax withheld by the employer. In that case, the return is usually the only way to get it back.

Which limits apply to students?

The basic allowance determines from which taxable income income tax starts to apply. For 2026 it is 12,348 euros (section 32a EStG). Many students stay below this level in their annual income, so tax mainly matters through withheld wage tax.

The employee flat deduction of 1,230 euros (section 9a EStG) applies automatically. If your work-related expenses are lower, the tax office still applies this amount. An increase for 2027 has been announced. No amount has been enacted yet, so for 2027 the value in force at that time will apply.

Worked example: is the effort worth it?

Assumption: You work as a working student, earn 6,000 euros gross in the year, and have 800 euros of work-related expenses for travel and specialist books. Wage tax has been withheld.

1. Your work-related expenses of 800 euros are below the flat deduction of 1,230 euros.
2. The tax office therefore applies the flat deduction of 1,230 euros, and your 800 euros add nothing extra.
3. Your refund then depends only on how much wage tax was already withheld and whether you are above the basic allowance.

Only when your work-related expenses exceed the flat deduction does each additional euro reduce your tax. That is why checking your own costs before you start is worth it.

How to approach the return

ELSTER provides all the forms you need. For students the process is usually manageable once the documents are complete. Make sure you have the wage tax certificates from every employer for the year.

Records you will need

The most important documents are the wage tax certificates from all employers, the annual statements from your bank, receipts for work-related expenses and proof of special expenses such as insurance contributions. Part-time jobs often produce several certificates that arrive at different times.

Create a folder and add documents as they arrive. This saves a lot of time later. If you sort receipts during the year, you will not have to search in spring and can quickly see whether the return is worth doing.

When is a tax advisor the better option?

A tax advisor is most useful when several types of income come together, such as investment income, sales of assets or income from abroad. If you have a tax liability abroad or face a deadline problem, outside help can reduce the workload considerably.

For simple circumstances with one part-time job, a self-prepared return is often enough. The right choice depends on how complex your situation is and how much time you want to invest.

Also consider how the form is filled in. ELSTER guides you through each part step by step, and the required sections depend on your situation. If you only receive wages, a few pages are usually enough. Once other types of income come in, the effort grows noticeably, and that is a good moment to review the decision.

Finally, do not forget the timing of a refund. A return filed early in the year is processed in the normal sequence, but the amount you receive depends on the tax office and its workload. Plan for the refund as a possible extra, rather than as money you have already committed.

Frequently asked questions

When do I have to submit the tax return?

For assessment year 2026 the standard deadline is 31 July 2027. Because that date is a Saturday, the deadline ends on the next working day under section 108 para. 3 of the Fiscal Code (AO), which is 2 August 2027. With a tax advisor the deadline is extended considerably, and we cover that in a separate guide.

Do I have to file a return if I only have a minijob?

There is no automatic obligation. If wage tax was withheld, you can usually get it back only through the assessment. Check whether the refund justifies the effort.

What does a tax advisor cost for students?

The fees depend on the scope of the return. Ask the advisor for the fee structure directly, since many firms provide a quote in advance.

Next steps

1. Collect all wage tax certificates and proof of work-related expenses.
2. Check whether your work-related expenses exceed the flat deduction of 1,230 euros.
3. Submit the return via ELSTER before the deadline, or request an extension if you hire a tax advisor.

Related articles

• Taxes 2027 for students and career starters: overview
• Tax return 2026: deadlines for students until 31 July 2027
• Tax return with a tax advisor: how the extended deadline works (in German)
• Work-related expense flat rate for students: what it gives you

Sources: Section 32a EStG, basic allowance (accessed November 2026), Section 9a EStG, employee flat deduction (accessed November 2026), Section 149 AO, filing of tax returns (accessed November 2026), Section 108 AO, calculation of deadlines (accessed November 2026)

Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.