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The Global Insight

Is the interest on a HELOC tax deductible?

Author

Mia Phillips

Updated on March 07, 2026

Interest on a HELOC or a home equity loan is deductible if you use the funds for renovations to your home—the phrase is “buy, build, or substantially improve.” To be deductible, the money must be spent on the property whose equity is the source of the loan.

Is HELOC interest deductible 2021?

What Home Equity Loan Interest Is Tax Deductible? All of the interest on your home equity loan is deductible as long as your total mortgage debt is $750,000 (or $1 million) or less, you itemize your deductions, and, according to the IRS, you use the loan to “buy, build or substantially improve” your home.

Can I deduct HELOC interest on Schedule E?

It’s not deductible on E but could be taken as investment interest on A but not deductible for your primary residence because the interest isn’t secured by your primary residence.

Is it smart to pay extra principal on mortgage?

Making additional principal payments will shorten the length of your mortgage term and allow you to build equity faster. Because your balance is being paid down faster, you’ll have fewer total payments to make, in-turn leading to more savings.

Can a HELOC be used for anything?

Like a home equity loan, a HELOC can be used for anything you want. However, it’s best-suited for long-term, ongoing expenses like home renovations, medical bills or even college tuition. A HELOC usually has a variable interest rate based on the fluctuations of an index, such as the prime rate.

Is a HELOC tax deductible 2020?

Under the new law, home equity loans and lines of credit are no longer tax-deductible. However, the interest on HELOC money used for capital improvements to a home is still tax-deductible, as long as it falls within the home loan debt limit.

Can you write off HELOC interest on a rental property?

In addition to interest paid on a mortgage or a HELOC on a rental property, landlords can write off the depreciation. Residential real estate rentals are depreciated over 27.5 years.

Is the interest paid on a HELOC tax deductible?

(See Home Equity Loan vs. HELOC .) Interest paid on either loan, like the interest on your first mortgage, is sometimes tax-deductible. Since the Dec. 2017 tax law changes, whether interest on any kind of HELOC or home equity loan is tax deductible depends on how you are spending the loan funds.

Is the interest on a home equity loan tax deductible?

(See Home Equity Loan vs. HELOC.) Interest paid on either loan, like the interest on your first mortgage, is sometimes tax-deductible. Since the Dec. 2017 tax law changes, whether interest on any kind of HELOC or home equity loan is tax deductible depends on how you are spending the loan funds.

Is there a limit on how much you can spend on a HELOC?

If you used a HELOC for home improvement before December 15, 2017, it would be grandfathered in to the $1 million limit. However, if you spent the money on December 15, 2017 or later, you’d be subject to the $750,000 limit.

How does a home equity line of credit ( HELOC ) work?

Taking a HELOC also means you only borrow as much as you need—not a lump sum, as is the case with a home equity loan. Sometimes, a HELOC features an option to lock in a fixed interest rate to repay the outstanding balance. As a homeowner, you may borrow up to a specified amount based on the combined loan-to-value (CLTV) ratio.