Some Loans May Come With Large Tax Credits

By Henry Miller

Were you aware that when you take out a loan you could actually be reducing the amount of federal taxes you have to pay to the government? Surprisingly, not all loan programs are the same when it comes times to look at your tax situation. Almost everybody wants to borrow money sometimes and it's smart to do your homework before jumping into a big situation involving money. Some loans can give you a tax credit which lowers the income tax you owe and other kinds of loans can give you a tax deduction which lowers your gross taxable income. Here's a quick guide to which loans may qualify you for a tax credit, though obviously everyone's tax situation will vary.

Student Loans: Did you know that some loans you take out for education could give you a tax advantage? You can, in some cases, deduct the interest you paid on the loan from your income taxes. Not all student loans are eligible for this, but it's a good way to decrease the taxes you pay, especially if you're a cash-strapped student with a limited income. The interest you pay on most school loans can only be deducted if you make under a certain amount of money, based on your individual filing status.

Home Mortgages: For many people their home is the biggest purchase they ever make, and paying a home loan can actually be a good way to reduce the amount of money you owe on your income taxes each year. Most house loans are set up so that you can deduct the amount of interest you pay on the loan every year. Out of all the loans that have tax deductions associated with them, house mortgages are probably the most well-known. Since most house loans are set up to be paid over 30 years, that means that purchasing a home can give you 30 years of potential tax deductions.

Home Equity Loans: If your house is more valuable now than when you bought it then you might be able to take out a home equity loan (sometimes called a HELOC) and deduct the interest you pay on that borrowed money. There are some restrictions about how much of your loan's interest actually qualifies for a tax benefit. You can use a home equity loan for a number of things, you may be able to get additional tax credits by using the money for home repairs. In some case you can even qualify for tax credits for using the money to upgrade your house's energy efficiency. A home equity loan used to improve your home could eventually raise the value of your dwelling and give you even more equity in the long run. For some homeowners part of the cost of a home equity loan can be offset with home remodeling tax credits.

Before you apply for any of these loans you may want to talk with your tax professional to make sure the tax benefits apply to your individual situation. There are, of course, a lot of differences between these loans. Not everyone will be eligible for all the different tax deductions that these loans may offer. Sometimes your age, the amount of money you want to borrow and the reason of the loan will limit the amount of money you can deduct from your taxes in any given year. Sometimes applying for the right kind of loan can definitely save you thousands of dollars on your income taxes, so it's worth investing a little bit of time and energy to look into what sort of tax credits you qualify for. - 31821

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