If you own a home, you’re probably well aware of the financial advantages of writing off mortgage interest on your federal tax return. Yet, did you realize that not every mortgage interest qualifies for a tax deduction? We’ll go over the specifics of mortgage interest deductions in this post, including when they apply and when they don’t.
Home Equity Loans
Let’s first examine how a home equity loan works. An example of a loan where the borrower utilizes the equity in their home as security is a home equity loan. The equity in your house is the sum of the current market value minus the remaining mortgage balance. You have $200,000 in equity, for instance, if your house is currently worth $500,000 and your mortgage balance is $300,000.
The interest you pay on a home equity loan might be tax deductible, but only if you used the loan proceeds for a business, an investment, or another deductible reason. This means that the interest you pay on the loan is not tax deductible if you use it to pay off credit card debt or for travel.
Primary and Secondary Mortgages
Subject to a cap, you might be able to deduct your mortgage interest if you itemize deductions on your federal tax return. As of the 2021 tax year, if you’re married filing jointly, you can deduct interest on up to $750,000 of qualifying mortgage debt, or $375,000 if you’re single or married filing separately. Mortgages taken out after December 15, 2017, are subject to these restrictions.
It’s crucial to remember that unless the loan proceeds were used for a business, an investment, or another deductible purpose, the interest you pay on a mortgage on a home other than your primary residence or second home is not tax deductible. For instance, if you take out a mortgage on a rental property, you can write off the interest you pay as a rental charge. But, unless you rent out the house for a portion of the year, the interest you pay on a mortgage for a holiday home is not tax deductible.
Things To Be Aware Of Regarding Mortgage Interest
Limits on deductibility:
Although mortgage interest on your primary or second home may be tax-deductible, there are limits to how much you can deduct. As of the 2021 tax year, you can deduct interest on up to $750,000 of qualified mortgage debt if you’re married filing jointly or $375,000 if you’re single or married filing separately. These limits apply to mortgages taken out after December 15, 2017. If you have a larger mortgage or live in a high-cost area, you may not be able to deduct all of your mortgage interest.
Personal vs. business use:
To qualify for a mortgage interest deduction, the loan must be used for business, investment, or other deductible purposes. If you take out a mortgage or home equity loan for personal use, such as to pay off credit card debt or take a vacation, the interest you pay on the loan is not tax-deductible.
Fluctuations in interest rates:
Mortgage interest rates can fluctuate over time, which can affect the amount of interest you pay and your ability to deduct that interest on your tax return. If interest rates rise, you may end up paying more interest on your mortgage, which could reduce your tax savings. It’s important to keep an eye on interest rate trends and factor in potential changes when planning your finances.
You might be eligible to deduct points paid on a mortgage or a home equity loan in addition to mortgage interest. The cost of borrowing money from a lender is represented by points. One percent of the loan amount is represented by each point. You might be able to write off points paid on a mortgage or home equity loan as prepaid interest over the course of the loan if you pay them.
In Summary
Finally, not all mortgage interest qualifies for a tax deduction. Understanding when and how mortgage interest deductions apply to your particular circumstances is crucial if you own a property. It’s always a good idea to speak with a tax expert if you’re unsure about your eligibility to write off mortgage interest on your federal tax return. You can save money and get the most out of your property investment by making use of all permitted deductions.
