Mortgage Interest Deduction
An itemized deduction for interest paid on home mortgage debt up to $750,000, covering your primary residence and one second home. It is one of the largest potential itemized deductions for homeowners.
The mortgage interest deduction allows homeowners to deduct interest paid on qualified home acquisition debt as an itemized deduction on Schedule A. For mortgages originated after December 15, 2017, the deduction applies to combined loan balances up to $750,000 ($375,000 for married filing separately). Mortgages originated before that date are grandfathered at the prior $1,000,000 limit.
Qualified home acquisition debt is a mortgage used to buy, build, or substantially improve a qualified home — your primary residence or one second home. Home equity loan interest is deductible only if the loan proceeds were used to buy, build, or improve the home securing the debt; home equity loans used for personal expenses (vacations, car purchases, debt consolidation) no longer qualify under current law.
Your mortgage servicer sends Form 1098 by January 31 showing the total interest paid in the prior year. Points paid on a new home purchase are generally fully deductible in the year paid; points paid on a refinance must be amortized over the life of the loan. With the higher standard deduction, this deduction is most beneficial for higher-balance mortgages, homeowners with multiple deductible expenses that together exceed the standard deduction, or those in high-tax states.
Related Terms
Mortgage Interest Deduction
An itemized deduction for interest paid on mortgage debt up to $750,000 ($375,000 if married filing separately) used to buy, build, or improve your primary or second home.
Itemized Deduction
Specific expenses you can deduct instead of taking the standard deduction, including mortgage interest, state/local taxes (SALT cap: $40,000 for 2025+ under OBBBA, phased out for high earners), charitable donations, and medical expenses.
SALT Deduction
An itemized deduction for state and local taxes paid, including income tax (or sales tax) and property tax. Under OBBBA (2025+), capped at $40,000 per return ($20,000 MFS) with phaseout above $500,000 MAGI to a $10,000 floor. Pre-OBBBA (2018–2024) the cap was $10,000 flat.
Standard Deduction
A fixed dollar amount that reduces your taxable income, available to all filers who do not itemize. For 2025, it is $15,750 for single filers and $31,500 for married filing jointly (OBBBA-adjusted).