You’re allowed to take a tax deduction for some types of interest payments, but unfortunately, credit card interest is not among them. The tax code classifies the interest you pay on credit cards as “personal interest,” a category that hasn’t been deductible since the 1980s.

Can interest be deducted on taxes?

Tax-deductible interest is a borrowing expense that a taxpayer can claim on a federal or state tax return to reduce taxable income. Personal credit card interest, auto loan interest, and other types of personal consumer finance interest are not tax deductible.

Can you deduct credit card interest on your tax return?

If you were born in the 1960s or earlier, you might remember a time that you could deduct credit card interest on your tax return. It didn’t matter what you’d purchased with your credit card, all the interest you paid could be deducted at tax time. The 1980s saw major changes to the tax code with the passing of The Tax Reform Act of 1986.

Can a self employed person deduct credit card interest?

Businesses, contractors, and other self-employed individuals are allowed to deduct credit card interest when they use the purchases for qualified business expenses. You must be fully liable for the credit card purchases, meaning the expenses must have been paid on your own credit card.

What do I need to know about my credit card interest?

Your monthly credit card billing statements for the previous tax year can serve as a reference for the amount of interest you’ve paid on business expenses.

Can a home equity loan be used to pay off credit cards?

You could use a home equity loan to pay off your credit cards, then deduct the interest paid on your home equity loan. It could benefit you in the long run, since home equity loans often have a lower interest rate. But, remember that your home is on the line if you default on the payments.