What kind of interest is tax deductible?
Sarah Martinez
Updated on February 04, 2026
Types of interest that are tax deductible include mortgage interest for both first and second (home equity) mortgages, mortgage interest for investment properties, student loan interest, and the interest on some business loans, including business credit cards.
Can you deduct credit card interest on Schedule C?
Credit Cards: If you’re a sole proprietor and use your personal credit card to charge business-related expenses, you may deduct the interest related to those expenses on Schedule C. To determine the amount of interest that is deductible you must allocate the business-related portion of the interest.
What interest is tax deductible in 2020?
The 2020 mortgage interest deduction Mortgage interest is still deductible, but with a few caveats: Taxpayers can deduct mortgage interest on up to $750,000 in principal.
Can you write off loan interest?
Interest paid on personal loans is not tax deductible. If you borrow to buy a car for personal use or to cover other personal expenses, the interest you pay on that loan does not reduce your tax liability. Similarly, interest paid on credit card balances is also generally not tax deductible.
Why is debt interest tax deductible?
Deducting Debt Interest Because the interest that accrues on debt can be tax deductible, the actual cost of the borrowing is less than the stated rate of interest. To deduct interest on debt financing as an ordinary business expense, the underlying loan money must be used for business purposes.
Which loans have tax benefits?
Section 24(b) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, allows for a tax rebate on personal loan if the amount is used for home renovation or improvement. In this case, interest paid on personal loan repayment up to Rs. 30,000 can be claimed as deduction from the total taxable income.
Can you deduct credit card interest on your tax return?
If you were born in the 1960s or earlier, you might remember a time that you could deduct credit card interest on your tax return. It didn’t matter what you’d purchased with your credit card, all the interest you paid could be deducted at tax time. The 1980s saw major changes to the tax code with the passing of The Tax Reform Act of 1986.
When do you write off interest on a credit card?
The tax code allows you to deduct credit card interest only when a card is used for business expenses. Here is more about this IRS rule as tax deadlines approach. Best Business Credit Cards. ] Can You Write Off Credit Card Interest? Consumers can’t write off interest from personal expenses they put on credit cards.
What kind of fees can I write off on my tax return?
There are three types of credit card fees that business owners might be able to write off on their tax deductions: Any credit card interest you’ve paid on business purchases. Annual fees (this applies exclusively to business cards and will not work if you also use the card for personal purchases).
Can a self employed person deduct credit card interest?
Businesses, contractors, and other self-employed individuals are allowed to deduct credit card interest when they use the purchases for qualified business expenses. You must be fully liable for the credit card purchases, meaning the expenses must have been paid on your own credit card.