Home Equity Loans
Are home equity loans tax deductible?
Updated May 15, 2023
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Key Takeaways:
Home equity loans are similar to other kinds of mortgages
Home equity loans are tax deductible if used to improve the home you borrow against
To get the tax benefit, you need to itemize your deductions
Home. It’s where you make memories, entertain friends and family, and feel safe. Upgrades and renovations can improve the look, feel, and functionality of your home. One way to finance these upgrades is by using a home equity loan. If you do, you might also get a tax benefit.
It's a great feeling to invest in your home and make it a place that truly reflects your personal style and taste. It’s an even better feeling when you know you’ve tackled the financial challenge in a smart way.
Home equity loan interest might be tax deductible
The interest you pay on mortgage debt can be deducted from your federal income taxes under certain conditions. Home equity loans and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) count as mortgage debt.
Here’s what to know.
First, a deduction is a way to lower your taxable income. If you earn $10,000 and you have a $1,000 deduction, you only have to pay taxes on $9,000.
This particular deduction is for the interest you paid on your mortgage loan in that tax year. The lender will send you an annual statement that gives you the exact dollar figure.
There are a few rules:
You itemize your deductions.
The money you borrowed was used to buy, build, or substantially improve the home that you borrowed against.
The interest was paid on no more than $750,000 of mortgage debt ($375,000 for single tax filers). This includes your home equity loan or HELOC and your first mortgage if you have one. If your total mortgage debt is more than $750,000, you can still deduct the interest you paid on the first $750,000.
How is a home equity loan similar to a mortgage?
A home equity loan and your mortgage, if you have one, are both loans against your home. Both let you deduct loan interest from your federal taxes under the conditions described above.
They are similar in a few other ways, too. For both loans:
You can get a fixed interest rate, and equal payments over the life of the loan
A professional appraisal is required to determine the current market value of the home
Homeowners insurance is required
Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio will need to meet the lender’s requirements
In case it’s been a while since you got a mortgage, your DTI is the percentage of your income that goes toward debt payments, including your housing expenses. In general, lenders want you to have a DTI of 43% or less.
How is a home equity loan different from a mortgage?
Mortgage interest is always a potential tax deduction because a mortgage is always used to purchase the home that you borrowed for. In contrast, since home equity loans can be used in many other ways, the interest doesn’t always qualify for the tax deduction.
For this reason, if you’re considering a remodel or home maintenance, borrowing against your home could save you money compared with taking a personal loan, which isn’t tax deductible at all.
Home repair expenses can now seem a little easier to bear, so you may want to go ahead and get a quote for redoing your bathroom or adding a deck in the backyard.
To deduct home equity loan interest, you have to itemize
You can get the tax deductions for home equity loan interest only if you itemize your tax deductions on Form 1040, Schedule A. Filling out the form isn't difficult. But you might want to talk to a tax professional or use tax preparation software to walk you through it so that you don’t miss any deductions you qualify for.
The IRS assumes that everyone qualifies for some deductions, so you don’t have to itemize them. You can automatically deduct $25,900 (married couples filing jointly) or $12,950 (single filers) for the 2022 tax year, no questions asked. That’s called “taking the standard deduction.”
Itemizing can lower your tax bill if, when you add up all of your deductions, the total is greater than the standard deduction for that tax year.
What kinds of deductions can you itemize?
Many everyday expenses are legitimate deductions. Some common ones are:
Property taxes
State sales tax
Mortgage interest on the first $750,000 of mortgage debt
Medical and dental expenses if they exceed 7.5% of your income
Charitable contributions
Educator classroom supplies ($250)
Student loan interest
Business expenses if you are self-employed or own a business
What forms do you need for the home equity loan tax deduction?
Save documents that prove how you used the home equity loan or HELOC:
Loan statements showing how much you borrowed
Receipts, contracts, and other documents showing how the funds were used
Form 1098, the Mortgage Interest Statement, from your lender showing interest payments. You’ll get separate 1098s for your mortgage, if you have one, and your home equity loan or HELOC.
Written by
Aaron Crowe is an Achieve contributor. He is a freelance journalist who specializes in writing about personal finances. He has worked as a reporter and editor at newspapers and websites for his entire career.
Reviewed by
Kimberly is Achieve’s senior editor. She is a financial counselor accredited by the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education®, and a mortgage expert for The Motley Fool. She owns and manages a 350-writer content agency.
Frequently asked questions
What is home equity?
Home equity is the difference between what you owe on your mortgage and the current value of your home. You build equity as your property value goes up and you make mortgage payments over the years.
Can I get a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) with a fixed rate?
Yes, although most HELOCs have a variable interest rate, some lenders offer HELOCs with a fixed-rate option. The interest rate won't change over the life of the loan, which can give you peace of mind and simplify budgeting your monthly payments.
Is a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) a good idea right now?
If you're a homeowner needing funds, a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) with a fixed interest rate can be a great option. With a fixed rate, your interest rate will stay the same throughout the loan's life, making it easier to budget your monthly payments. A HELOC can be a flexible and convenient way to access cash for home improvements, debt consolidation, or other expenses.
What is a home equity loan?
A home equity loan lets you borrow a lump sum against your home at a fixed interest rate. Like a traditional mortgage, if you fail to repay the loan, the lender would have the right to take steps to sell it and get paid back.
What is a HELOC?
HELOC is short for home equity line of credit. It is a revolving line of credit, like a credit card. You don’t have to borrow the entire amount at once but can draw money as you need it over a draw period that usually lasts several years. You only pay interest on the amount you withdraw.
Just like a home equity loan or mortgage, when you take a HELOC you are borrowing against your home.
Most HELOCs have variable interest rates that can cause your monthly payments to fluctuate. A traditional variable-rate HELOC doesn’t give you any way to know what your interest rate will be several years from now when you enter repayment. A fixed-rate HELOC allows you to lock in your rate when your loan is approved. This lets you have a more predictable monthly payment.
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