When is Mortgage Interest Tax Deductible?

1. Do you itemize your tax deductions?

You cannot take the mortgage interest deduction if you are taking the standard deduction. In 2018, the standard deduction is $12,000 for single taxpayers, $18,000 for heads of household, and $24,000 for married taxpayers filing a joint return. Please see a CPA for details.

2. Is Your Home a "Qualified Residence"?

Mortgage interest is only deductible if the mortgage is attached to a "qualified residence". Taxpayers can generally deduct the mortgage interest on two qualified homes:

• One Primary Residence; and,
• One Vacation Home

3. Is Your Mortgage Classified as "Acquisition Indebtedness"?

Your mortgage or home equity line of credit is considered "acquisition indebtedness" if it was used to buy, build, or improve a qualified residence.  Generally, you can deduct the interest on mortgage balances up to $750,000 of Acquisition Indebtedness. Here are two examples:

• Jane buys her $500,000 primary residence using a $400,000 mortgage. Jane would be able to deduct the interest on the $400,000 mortgage as acquisition indebtedness because (1) the mortgage was to buy a qualified residence; and, (2) the mortgage falls within the $750,000 limit.
• Janice buys her $500,000 primary residence with cash.  A year later, Janice does a cash-out refinance and puts a $400,000 mortgage on the home.  The funds are not used for home improvements. Janice would NOT be able to deduct the interest on the new $400,000 mortgage because the funds were not used to buy, build, or improve the house.

Three Pitfalls to Avoid

As you can see, it's very important to structure your mortgage in a way where it can be classified as "acquisition indebtedness"! Here are three common mistakes that many people make when choosing a mortgage strategy and deducting their mortgage interest:

• Pulling cash out of a primary residence to buy a vacation home, and then illegally deducting the interest on that cash-out mortgage (in these cases, it's often better to place a mortgage on the vacation home itself so that it can be classified as "acquisition indebtedness")
• Paying cash for a home, taking out a mortgage later on, and then illegally deducting the interest on that cash-out mortgage
• Illegally deducting the interest on mortgage balances that do not qualify as acquisition indebtedness

Distinction Between a Qualified Residence and an Investment Property

Everything mentioned above pertains to a mortgage transaction involving a primary home or vacation home that is elected as a “qualified residence” for tax purposes. If your transaction involved an investment property, see IRS Publication 527.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS ARTICLE AND OVERVIEW IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL, TAX, OR FINANCIAL ADVICE. PLEASE CONSULT WITH A QUALIFIED TAX ADVISOR FOR SPECIFIC ADVICE PERTAINING TO YOUR SITUATION. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF THESE ITEMS, PLEASE REFERENCE IRS PUBLICATION 936.