Tax Loophole for Deducting Home Equity Loan Interest

For some, interest is still deductible despite the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

Fact checked by Amanda Jackson
Reviewed by Lea D. Uradu

Tax codes change often. One of the more recent, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017, introduced a slew of new tax breaks while doing away with several others. Some of the tax changes directly affected taxpayers who own a home or plan to purchase one.

One of the eliminated measures changed tax benefits for home equity loan interest. Much of that deduction was effectively eliminated—at least through the end of 2025. However, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) left a loophole in the current tax law that permits some homeowners to continue benefiting from the home equity loan interest deduction, but only if they use the funds to improve the home.

Key Takeaways

• Despite provisions in the Tax Cut and Jobs Act (TCJA), home equity loan interest still may be deductible for some homeowners, along with interest on home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) and second mortgages.
• To qualify for this deduction, the loan money must be for an Internal Revenue Service (IRS)-approved use, namely, to “buy, build or substantially improve the taxpayer’s home.”
• Loan proceeds cannot be used to pay off personal debts or other non-qualified expenses.
• The deduction is not unlimited. Only interest on mortgage debt up to $750,000 is deductible if the mortgage was granted after Dec. 15, 2017. For couples who are married filing separately, the limit is $375,000.

Rules for Deducting Home Equity Loan Interest

The changes introduced under the TCJA include a reduction of the cap on the mortgage interest deduction. The deduction can be claimed only for the interest paid on mortgage debt up to $750,000 if the loan was taken out after Dec. 15, 2017, or $375,000 for married couples filing separately. The previous limit was $1 million (or $500,000 for married couples filing separately). This cap also applies to home equity loans, home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), and second mortgages, but only under specific circumstances.

In February 2018, the IRS issued an advisory memo for taxpayers regarding the status of the home equity loan interest deduction under the new set of tax laws. This memo specified that interest on home equity loans, HELOCs, and second mortgages might still be deductible if the loan is for an IRS-approved use. Specifically, these loans must be used to “buy, build or substantially improve the taxpayer’s home that secures the loan” for the interest to be deductible. Before the TCJA, there were no restrictions on how homeowners could use funds.

While the IRS did not include a list of expenses that would be covered under the law’s provisions, their advice did include some examples of allowable home improvement expenses, such as building an addition to your home. Other purposes that qualify for the deduction if you’re using a home equity loan or a HELOC include:

• Putting a new roof on the property
• Replacing your HVAC system
• Completing an extensive kitchen or bathroom remodeling project
• Resurfacing your driveway

Important

The mortgage interest deduction cap of $750,000 applies to the combined balance of your primary mortgage and a home equity loan or a HELOC.

Best Practices for Claiming the Home Equity Interest Deduction

If you own a home and are planning to claim the home equity loan interest deduction, there are a few things to remember. First, the money must be used for home improvements or renovations. For example, you cannot take the deduction if you are using home equity proceeds to pay for personal expenditures or consolidate credit card debt. The same goes for taking out a loan and letting the money sit in the bank as your just-in-case fund for emergencies.

What’s more, the renovations have to be made to the property on which you are taking out the home equity loan. You cannot, for example, take out a loan on your primary residence and use the money to renovate your cottage at the lake.

Note

The TCJA also introduced a cap of $10,000 on itemized deductions for state and local taxes (SALT), including property taxes.

Next, keep proper records of your expenses. The odds of being audited by the IRS are generally low, but you do not want to take any chances. If you plan to use a home equity loan or HELOC to pay for home repairs or upgrades, keep receipts for everything you spend and bank statements showing where the money went.

Finally, remember that this deduction is not unlimited. You can deduct the interest on up to $750,000 in home loan debts, if the loans were made after Dec. 15, 2017. For single taxpayers, the limit is $375,000.

If your total mortgage debt is higher than that, you won’t be able to deduct all of the combined interest paid. The $1 million cap applies for mortgages obtained before that date. As interest on older mortgages retains a legacy to $1 million loans, check carefully with a tax professional about what you can deduct if you have both an older mortgage and a home equity loan that qualifies for deductions.

Warning

Mortgage lending discrimination is illegal. If you think that you’ve been discriminated against based on race, religion, sex, marital status, use of public assistance, national origin, disability, or age, there are steps that you can take. One such step is to file a report with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

What Is the Cap on Home Equity Loan Deductions?

For a home equity loan, you can deduct the interest on up to $750,000 of the loan for married filers, or $375,000 for couples who are married filing separately. This cap applies to loans taken out after Dec. 15, 2017. For loans obtained before that date, those limits are $1 million or $500,000, respectively.

Is Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) Interest Tax Deductible?

You can deduct interest on a home equity line of credit (HELOC), but only if you use the funds for home improvements. The introduction of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) eliminated deductions on interest if you use the funds for anything else, such as to consolidate debt.

Are Home Improvement Loans Tax Deductible?

If you use funds from a home equity loan or a HELOC for home improvements, you can deduct interest on up to $750,000. In fact, the only way that interest on these loans is deductible is if you use them for home improvements.

The Bottom Line

A home equity loan or a HELOC can be a convenient source of funding when you want to spruce up your home. Snagging a tax deduction for the interest that you pay is an added perk. As with any other loan, however, take the time to compare interest rates and loan terms from different lenders to find the best deal possible.