Student Loan Interest Deduction Phase Out: You may be familiar with the student loan interest deduction if you have student loans.
This tax deduction allows you to deduct up to $2,500 of the interest paid on your student loans yearly.
However, income limits, known as phaseouts, can reduce or eliminate your ability to claim this deduction.
This comprehensive guide explains the student loan interest deduction, how the phase out works, who it impacts, and strategies to consider if your income exceeds the limits.
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What is the Student Loan Interest Deduction?
The student loan interest deduction allows you to deduct up to $2,500 of interest paid on qualified student loans each year.
Regardless of whether you itemize or take the standard deduction on your tax return, this deduction can be taken.
The student loans must have been taken out solely to pay qualified higher education expenses for yourself, your spouse, or your dependents to claim the deduction.
This includes expenses for tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies, and equipment. Loans from any source can qualify, including federal and private student loans.
The maximum deduction of $2,500 applies to your total student loan interest paid, not per student loan. For example, if you paid $3,000 of interest across multiple student loans, you can only deduct $2,500.
This deduction can provide substantial tax savings each year you qualify to claim it. For example, if you’re in the 22% tax bracket, $2,500 of deductible interest saves you $550 in taxes ($2,500 * 22% = $550).
How the Student Loan Interest Deduction Phase Out Works
The amount of student loan interest deduction you can have begins to phase out once your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeds a certain amount:
- Single filers – The phaseout begins at $70,000 of MAGI and completely phases out at $85,000 of MAGI
- Married filing jointly – The phaseout begins at $145,000 of MAGI and completely phases out at $175,000 of MAGI
Your maximum deduction will be reduced if your income exceeds the phaseout thresholds.
Once your income reaches the end of the phaseout range, you can no longer claim the deduction.
For example, you’re a single filer with $80,000 MAGI and paid $2,500 of student loan interest.
Since your MAGI falls within the phaseout range, your maximum deduction would be reduced as follows:
- Your MAGI of $80,000 is $10,000 above the $70,000 phaseout start
- The phaseout range is $85,000 – $70,000 = $15,000
- You are $10,000/$15,000 = 67% phased out
- Your maximum deduction of $2,500 is reduced by 67% to $825
So, with an MAGI of $80,000, your student loan interest deduction would be limited to $825 instead of the full $2,500.
Who Does the Phase Out Impact?
The phase out interest thresholds on a student loan haven’t changed since this deduction was implemented in 1998.
For that reason, inflation and rising incomes mean the phaseout impacts more taxpayers now than it originally did.
Here’s who is more likely to be affected by the phaseout:
- Single taxpayers with income between $70,000 – $85,000
- Married couples with income between $145,000 – $175,000
- High earners in high-cost-of-living areas
- Dual income couples
- Graduates with higher earning degrees like law, medicine, and business
- Anyone whose income has risen faster than inflation
Unfortunately, these income limitations haven’t been adjusted for inflation over the past 25+ years.
So, while incomes have gradually risen, the phaseout thresholds remain unchanged. This means deducting student loan interest is becoming increasingly difficult for many Americans.
Read Also: Student Loan Refinance Rates
What is the Student Loan Interest Deduction?
If your income exceeds the phaseout limits, here are some strategies to consider:
1. Contribute to a Traditional IRA or 401(k)
Contributing to a traditional IRA or 401(k) can reduce your MAGI and qualify you for a larger deduction.
For example, if you’re single with an MAGI of $80,000, contributing $5,000 to a 401(k) would reduce your MAGI to $75,000.
That $5,000 reduction could be enough to deduct the maximum $2,500 in interest fully.
2. Contribute to an HSA
If you have a high deductible health plan, contributing to a Health Savings Account (HSA) can also lower your MAGI.
HSAs offer triple tax benefits: tax-deductible contributions, tax-free growth, and tax-free withdrawals for medical expenses.
Contributing to an HSA may allow you to deduct more student loan interest.
3. Get Below the Phase Out Thresholds
If your income is slightly above the phaseout levels, you can implement strategies to get below the thresholds.
For example, maximize pre-tax contributions, harvest capital losses to offset capital gains, delay taking distributions from retirement accounts or work just enough overtime to stay under the limit.
Getting below the thresholds, even by one dollar, would allow you to deduct the maximum amount fully.
4. Take More Itemized Deductions
Since the student loan interest deduction phases out for MAGI, boosting your below-the-line deductions can also help you qualify for a bigger deduction.
This could include maximizing other deductions like charitable contributions, home mortgage interest, state taxes, and medical expenses.
5. File Taxes Separately
Filing taxes separately can result in a higher combined deduction amount for married couples.
For example, if one spouse has high student loan interest but low income, they may fully qualify while the other spouse exceeds the limit for single filers.
Running the numbers both ways can determine if separate filing allows you to deduct more interest.
6. Refinance or Consolidate Loans
Refinancing or consolidating student loans to stretch out payments and reduce your monthly payments can qualify you for the maximum deduction.
Just be sure to run the numbers and compare interest rates to ensure refinancing still makes sense.
7. Weigh Taxable Investing
If you cannot deduct student loan interest, it may make sense to prioritize taxable investing over pre-tax retirement accounts.
This can provide more flexibility for education planning and other goals while allowing you to maintain an asset allocation aligned with your risk profile.
Read Also: Where Can a Student Get a Loan?
Final Thought
While the phaseout limits have remained unchanged for years, the student loan interest deduction can provide meaningful savings if you qualify.
Being aware of the income limits and utilizing strategies to maximize your deduction can put hundreds or thousands of dollars back in your pocket.
Carefully consider how much student loan interest you’ll pay over the year and whether you qualify for the maximum deduction.
If your income exceeds the limits, explore options to reduce your MAGI. With the right planning, you can take full advantage of this deduction and obtain some financial relief from your student loans.
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