Home Loans and Mortgages The Myth of Tax Deductible Interest
...... is deductible on loans of up to one million dollars. That means that the amount of interest paid in a calendar year can be deducted from taxable income, effectively reducing the amount of income tax paid. More often than not, this turns out to be of little benefit to taxpayers. Its not as though the Government is paying your interest. For the typical American taxpayer who pays in the 28% tax bracket, the deduction amounts to a rebate of twenty eight cents for every dollar paid in interest. Complicating matters is the fact that this is only true for that portion of the interest that exceeds the standard deduction allowed for every taxpayer that files. That deduction, currently $10,000 per married couple, is usually greater than the amount of mortgage interest most couples pay during the year. What this means is that many, if not most, Americans derive no tax benefit from their mortgage interest whatsoever.
Of course, homeowners who pay more than 28% of their income in taxes or those who own homes with large mortgages can benefit more from the tax deduction. Most American homeowners, on the other hand, get nothing from it. The tax deduction isnt entirely insignificant, but it shouldnt be a deciding factor in determining how to pay for a home. Prospective buyers should realize that while the deduction is a potential perk of taking out a mortgage, the likely tax benefit from it ranges from very small to nothing at all.
Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including HomeEquityHelp.com, a site devoted to information regarding mortgages and home equity loans.
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