Note: The editors of Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine and the Kiplinger Tax Letter are answering questions about the new tax law from subscribers to our free Kiplinger Today daily email. See other reader Q&As about the new tax law, or submit your own question.
Question: My wife and I owe about $250,000 on our home mortgage, the interest on which we have always deducted along with our other itemized deductions. Now that Congress has doubled the standard deduction, though, we’ll stop itemizing and lose the benefit of the mortgage interest deduction.
We also own an apartment building free-and-clear and are thinking of borrowing $250,000 against it, and using the money to retire the home mortgage. Then, we could deduct the interest on the apartment loan to offset our rental income. Will that work?
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Answer: Nice try, but ... The deductibility of interest turns on the use of the borrowed money, not the security for the loan. While interest on money borrowed to buy or improve a rental property can be deducted against rental income, money used for a personal purpose, such as paying off a home mortgage, is nondeductible.
-
Dow Adds 646 Points, Hits New Highs: Stock Market TodayIt was "boom" for the Dow but "bust" for the Nasdaq following a December Fed meeting that was less hawkish than expected.
-
5 Types of Gifts the IRS Won’t Tax: Even If They’re BigGift Tax Several categories of gifts don’t count toward annual gift tax limits. Here's what you need to know.
-
The 'Scrooge' Strategy: How to Turn Your Old Junk Into a Tax DeductionTax Deductions We break down the IRS rules for non-cash charitable contributions. Plus, here's a handy checklist before you donate to charity this year.
-
5 Types of Gifts the IRS Won’t Tax: Even If They’re Big
Gift Tax Several categories of gifts don’t count toward annual gift tax limits. Here's what you need to know.
-
The 'Scrooge' Strategy: How to Turn Your Old Junk Into a Tax Deduction
Tax Deductions We break down the IRS rules for non-cash charitable contributions. Plus, here's a handy checklist before you donate to charity this year.
-
Tax Refund Alert: House GOP Predicts 'Average' $1,000 Payouts in 2026Tax Refunds Here's how the IRS tax refund outlook for 2026 is changing and what steps you can take now to prepare.
-
New IRS Changes to FSA Contribution Limits for 2026: What to KnowHealth Care Flexible Spending Accounts have tax advantages worth looking into, especially in light of new IRS changes.
-
Is a New $25,000 Health Care Tax Deduction Coming in 2026?Tax Policy A proposal from GOP Sen. Josh Hawley adds to the chatter about health care affordability.
-
Are You Middle-Class? Here's the Most Tax-Friendly State for Your FamilyTax Tips We found the state with no income tax, low property tax bills and exemptions on groceries and medicine.
-
Social Security Benefits Quiz : Do You Know the IRS Tax Rules?Quiz Social Security benefits often come with confusing IRS tax rules that can trip up financially savvy retirees and near-retirees.
-
How Are I Bonds Taxed? 8 Common Situations to KnowBonds Series I U.S. savings bonds are a popular investment, but the federal income tax consequences are anything but straightforward.
