Credello: Can Interest on a Personal Loan Be Tax Deductible?

NEW YORK, May 17, 2022 (Newswire.com) - Typically, interest paid on a personal loan is not tax deductible. Other loans, like student loans, offer tax deductions on interest paid. 

Personal loans can be great financial tools to help cover expenses or consolidate debts, as they typically have lower interest than credit cards. Depending on your credit score, you will likely have lots of different lenders to choose from, so be sure to compare personal loan rates to get the best rate on the market. Funds can get as high as $100,000, so you can cover any expenses that might come your way. The money goes directly into your checking account to be used at your discretion. Interest rates on personal loans vary based on term length, the amount borrowed, and credit worthiness. If you repay the debt quickly and have a great credit score, you can assume that you will have a lower interest rate. 

As you are repaying the loan with interest, you might wonder if the Internal Revenue Service will allow you to claim that interest as a tax deduction. You can claim this deduction on student loan debt, but not on personal loans. You could technically claim the deduction if you used a personal loan for education expenses; however, most lenders will not allow funds to be used in this way. The same goes for business expenses, so you are better off getting a business loan than a personal loan if you need money for your company. 

Always check the terms and conditions of a personal loan before accepting to understand what the money can be used for and how it gets repaid. If you are needing a personal loan for medical expenses or home repairs, you cannot claim the interest paid as a tax deduction. 

Do not let tax deductions prevent you from applying for a personal loan if you need it. Although you cannot claim a deduction on interest paid, personal loans do offer a lot of flexibility and can provide an influx of cash whenever you need it most. To get the best rates, make sure to practice healthy financial habits. Always pay your bill on time, keep your debt-to-income ratio low, and try to use less than 30% of available credit. If your APR is low, then you will not worry that you cannot claim a tax deduction. 

The bottom line

Personal loans can help you consolidate debt into one monthly payment or can allow you to make large and unexpected purchases. They do not offer tax deductions, but they do offer relatively low-interest rates and up to $100,000 in funds with term lengths of one to eight years. The benefits outweigh the disadvantages, so be sure to apply for one if you find yourself in a tight situation. The better your credit score, the less you will pay in interest, so always practice good financial habits. 

Source: Credello