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New Member
posted Jun 4, 2019 3:19:31 PM

Can I deduct all my mortgage interest even if I refinanced in 2016 and took some cash for home improvements and for debt consolidation?

 I saw an answer in the Turbo Tax forum that said "The interest on up to $100,000 borrowed on a home equity loan regardless of the reason for the loan, can be deducted"

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New Member
Jun 4, 2019 3:19:35 PM

No, the percentage of interest on the  money you borrowed for debt consolidation is not deductible.

For tax years 2018 through 2025, you can only deduct the interest from the amount of your loan that was used to buy, build, or improve the home that it’s secured by.

If you’ve ever used part of this loan to pay for things other than this home, you cannot deduct the interest from that amount of the loan, even if the transaction didn’t take place this year.

Don’t worry, we’ll help figure out what amount of interest you can deduct.

Examples of common ways you might have used this money not on your home include:

  • Making a downpayment on a different home
  • Funding improvements on a different home
  • Making a payment on a different loan or debt
  • Having miscellaneous large purchases

Example: John took out a home equity line of credit on his home on Tuberose Street for $40,000. He used $25,000 to remodel his kitchen and bathrooms in his Tuberose Street home, and $15,000 as a downpayment on a second house on Snowdrop Lane. He can only deduct the interest he paid on $25,000 he used to improve his Tuberose Street home.