Can I deduct the interest on a home improvement loan used to build a pool? The loan is not secured as a mortgage so there is no 1098

No. Unsecured loans are not Tax deductible. 

Using unsecured loan to pay for home renovations will not qualify you for a mortgage-interest deduction.

however, the cost of the pool will add to its tax basis.

We put in a pool last year can I claim on my taxes 

I’m not sure what you are saying 

If you paid 200K for your home, for example, and add 50K of Improvements to it over the years (such as a pool), the amount of the Improvements is added to your home's Cost Basis when you sell your home.  So your home's Cost Basis is now 250K. 

 

So it's good to keep track of the cost of any improvements you make to your home.  If you decide later to rent it, the Cost Basis for depreciation will be your original cost, plus improvements.

 

Here's more info on Cost Basis.

 

@longosaj2 

 

 

Nothing concerning property improvements to your primary home, 2nd home or any other "personal use" property gets reported on your tax return until the tax year you sell it.

However, one can qualify for "energy efficient credits" if they install or upgrade a device that qualifies for the credit. A pool doesn't qualify, so won't bother getting into it.