Student Loan Interest Deduction, How to Get It
You can deduct $2,500 in student loan interest from your taxes.
Students and their parents can take the student loan interest deduction as a tax break. You can deduct interest up to $2,500 from your taxable income.
The interest rate on federal student loans has been suspended since March 13, 2020, due to the ongoing pandemic. You may be eligible to receive payments towards an accrued or capitalized federal loan interest balance, and interest payments on loans not eligible for this relief like private student loans.
Is student loan interest deductible?
If your modified adjusted gross inflow (MAGI) is below $70,000, you can deduct student loan interest ($140,000 for filing jointly). You can deduct $2,500 if your MAGI was less than $70,000 ($170,000 for filing jointly).
The student loan interest deduction does not qualify as an itemized deduction. It is taken above the line. This means that it is subtracted from your taxable income in order to save money. If you are in the 22% tax bracket, then the maximum deduction for student loan interest would be $550.
Who can deduct student loan interest from their student loans?
If your MAGI falls below $85,000 (or $170,000 if you file jointly), student loan interest can be deducted in the following cases:
The loan was used to pay for qualified education expenses. These expenses include tuition, room, board, and books, as well as other essential expenses such as transportation.
The loan was taken out to pay for your education. This deduction doesn’t apply to graduates who are filing taxes. If you’re an underachiever and still making student loan payments, you might be eligible for this deduction.
The loan was taken out for a dependent. You can deduct the interest on student loans if you borrowed money in your name to pay for someone else, such as a parent PLUS loan for your child.
The loan was your obligation. You can still deduct interest paid even if your wages were garnished or you are otherwise legally responsible for the loan.
If you are married and filing separately, you can’t claim the interest deduction for student loans. If you are listed as a dependent on another’s tax return, you will also be ineligible.
What is the maximum time you can deduct student loan interest from your student loan?
Student loan interest deduction form
You will receive form 1098 E, a form for student loan interest deductions if you have paid more than $600 in interest between 2021 and 2023. This form can be sent by mail or email.
Because interest rates on federally-held loans were frozen at zero and payments were suspended for the majority of the year, you may have paid less. If you are otherwise eligible, you can still deduct any amount you paid.
Ask your private lender or student loan servicer to send you a copy of the student loan interest deduction form if you have not received one. You may be able to access a copy of the form and details about how much interest you have paid through your online account portal.
Are student loan payments deductible?
Repaying student loans means you pay off the principal balance and any interest. While you can deduct interest on your taxes for the amount paid, it is not possible to tax the total student loan payment amount.
Imagine that you have $29,000 in student loans with a 5% interest rate. The standard 10-year repayment plan would see you pay $308 per month, with $121 going towards student loan interest.
You’d pay $3,691 total over your first year of repayment: $2,293 principal and $1,398 interest. You could lower your taxable income if you are eligible for the student loan interest deduction.
This includes all newly accrued interest, such as that $1,398, but also money that pays the interest that was capitalized or added to your balance when you entered repayment.
Additional tax incentives for education
The government offers additional tax deductions and credits for students who are still in school. If you are not eligible for credit, you can claim the American Opportunity credit or the lifetime credit. You can also opt for the tuition- and fees deduction.
These benefits are available even if expenses were paid with student loans. You can determine which option will be the best for you based on your income and other factors. You must file your taxes together if you are married to receive the student loan interest deduction.
Do student loans need to be refinanced?
Refinance student loans can lower your monthly payments and reduce the amount you pay in interest. Use the calculator below to calculate your savings if you have private loans. Refinance federal student loans only when interest and payments are halted.
