Is interest expense on a business loan deductible?
John Hall
Updated on February 06, 2026
Here’s some good news for you: The interest on your business loan is tax-deductible as a business expense. Well, mostly. To be eligible, you’ll need to meet some criteria as defined by the Internal Revenue Service: You and the lender have a true lender-debtor relationship (i.e., not family and friends).
Is interest expense tax exempt?
Tax-deductible interest is a borrowing expense that a taxpayer can claim on a federal or state tax return to reduce taxable income. Personal credit card interest, auto loan interest, and other types of personal consumer finance interest are not tax deductible.
Is interest on loans tax deductible?
Interest paid on personal loans is not tax deductible. If you borrow to buy a car for personal use or to cover other personal expenses, the interest you pay on that loan does not reduce your tax liability.
Is interest paid on tax exempt bonds deductible?
Section 265 disallows a deduction for interest on debt incurred or continued to buy or carry tax-exempt securities’ or mutual fund stock which distributes tax-ex- empt interest.
What is considered business interest expense?
Business interest expense is any interest expense that is properly allocable to a trade or business. Floor plan financing interest expense is also business interest expense.
What qualifies as investment interest expense?
An investment interest expense is any amount of interest that is paid on loan proceeds used to purchase investments or securities. Investment interest expenses include margin interest used to leverage securities in a brokerage account and interest on a loan used to buy property held for investment.
Can you write off margin interest?
Deduct Investment Interest Expenses This expense occurs when people take out margin loans, which is money borrowed against the value of stocks or mutual funds. The money can be used to buy additional securities or used for other financial needs. That margin interest is deductible.
What qualifies as tax-exempt interest?
Tax-exempt interest is interest income that is not subject to federal income tax. The most common sources of tax-exempt interest come from municipal bonds or income-producing assets inside of Roth retirement accounts.
Can you deduct business loan interest on your taxes?
With the business loan interest tax deduction, you can deduct the amount you paid in business loan interest from your tax liability. This deduction reduces the amount you owe in taxes. Is interest expense tax deductible all the time? No. The IRS has rules on claiming the business interest deduction on your tax return.
Can you deduct interest paid to produce tax exempt income?
Interest paid or accrued to produce tax-exempt income In general, expenses incurred to produce tax – exempt income are not deductible. Under Sec. 265 (a) (2), taxpayers cannot deduct interest that is paid or accrued on obligations that produce tax – exempt interest.
Can You claim interest on a personal loan?
Do not try to claim the deduction for interest on loans used for personal expenses. If you have a loan that covers both business and personal expenses, you can deduct the portion of interest paid for business expenses.
Is there a limitation on business interest expense?
Taxpayers are to use Form 8990, Limitation on Business Interest Expense Under Section 163 (j), to calculate and report their deduction and the amount of disallowed business interest expense to carry forward to the next tax year. The purpose of this report is to provide text of the regulations and related IRS guidance.