Sometimes when considering different ways to handle debt some fail to consider how some options may have a better tax benefit than others. Determining the tax implications of financial options is not an easy task. It is a good idea to avail yourself of a good computer program to guide you. If you do not have that available to you there are some helpful hints that you can benefit from.
Almost always your largest debt is the mortgage on your home and this is where the greatest interest is paid. Also, the interest paid on your mortgage is often your largest tax write off. Since your mortgage is usually a 30 year loan, the greatest portion of your monthly payments for many years is interest. Because of this your taxable income can be offset by a good portion of that interest paid.
Other types of debt have other tax concerns that should be considered when working on a financial plan.
Taking out a home equity loan used to be primarily for the purpose of making improvements to the property. Many people these days use that money for a much wider variety of goals. A HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) can be used to finance just about anything – an auto purchase, repayment of credit card debt… you name it.
One advantage of this type of debt is precisely the tax benefit. Just as with a primary loan, interest on a second mortgage or a HELOC is tax deductible. So, even when the interest rate is the same as a credit card (and they are often lower), the net result can be beneficial.
The only way to know for sure in your circumstances is to do the calculations. Online loan calculators are readily available that will help you do just that. Run through several scenarios to decide the effect in your case.
Refinancing debt using credit cards is very costly. At times that needs to be done, and of course no solution fits all circumstances. Sometimes people find themselves buried in medical debts, and at times a loan can be obtained to pay these off.
Since much of the interest on such loans, and sometimes the medical expenses themselves, is tax deductible it can be worthwhile to finance the costs that way.
Interest on or amount paid to student loans, too, is tax deductible up to a point. Your circumstances will vary from another’s. Tax filing software is probably your best bet for calculating the pros and cons in your individual case. As you answer the ‘interview questions’ you can put in the amounts and follow the tutorial to determine the impact.
Whatever the example, whenever you are considering assuming debt – especially for large amounts – taking the time to evaluate the tax implications can save you substantial amounts of money. That can easily be worth a couple of extra hours of research, especially since you’ll be able to use that knowledge time and time again.