Student Loan Tax Deductions

Feb 23, 2016

If you are paying interest on one or more student loans, you may be able to deduct up to $2,500 of the interest annually. The deduction is “above the line,” so you don’t need to itemize to claim it.

General Rules

To qualify, the debt must have been incurred by you, your spouse, or your dependent (as of the time the debt was incurred) for the sole purpose of paying tuition, room and board, and related expenses for post-high-school education. Certain post-graduate and vocational programs also qualify. The student must be a degree candidate carrying at least half the normal full-time course load.

The person claiming the deduction must be legally obligated to make the interest payments and not be another taxpayer’s dependent. Married couples must file jointly to claim the deduction. For 2016, the deduction is phased out if a couple’s adjusted gross income is between $130,000 and $160,000 ($65,000 and $80,000 for single filers).

Home Equity Loans

Taxpayers who choose to use a home equity loan for higher education expenses also may be able to deduct the interest on their loans. Generally, interest on a home equity loan may qualify for an itemized deduction if the underlying debt doesn’t exceed $100,000 ($50,000 for a married taxpayer filing separately) and all mortgages on the home do not exceed the home’s fair market value.

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