Navigating the New Auto Loan Interest Deduction: A Guide for Quincy and Braintree Taxpayers

For many of our clients here in Quincy and the Greater Boston area, purchasing a new vehicle is a significant financial commitment, especially given recent interest rate trends. However, proposed regulations under the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" are set to offer some relief. If you are planning to finance a new vehicle after December 31, 2024, you may be eligible for a new below-the-line deduction on the interest paid.

As your local IRS Enrolled Agent and tax preparation partner, we want to help you understand how this temporary provision—effective for tax years 2025 through 2028—could impact your tax return.

Understanding the Eligibility Snapshot

This deduction is designed specifically for individuals, certain trusts, and estates purchasing new, American-assembled passenger vehicles for personal use. Unlike many business-centric write-offs, this is available to individual taxpayers.

However, the IRS has instated specific caps and phaseouts to keep in mind:

  • Annual Cap: You can claim up to $10,000 in interest per tax return annually. If you qualify as "married filing separately," each spouse is limited to a $10,000 claim.
  • Income Limits: High earners may see this benefit reduced. The deduction phases out for taxpayers with a modified Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) exceeding $150,000 for single filers, or $250,000 for those married filing jointly.
Piggy bank representing tax savings

The "Below-the-Line" Advantage

One of the distinct features of this new rule is that you do not need to itemize to claim it. It is a reduction to taxable income available even if you take the standard deduction. You will claim this on a new schedule attached to your Form 1040, and you must include the vehicle's VIN.

Vehicle Requirements: The "Made in America" Rule

Not every car on the lot in Braintree qualifies. The deduction applies strictly to new passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, minivans, trucks, motorcycles) that are:

  • Assembled in the United States.
  • Rated with a gross vehicle weight below 14,000 pounds.

Before signing the paperwork, verifying the assembly location is critical. You can confirm this status using the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's decoder tool here: Welcome to VIN Decoding : provided by vPIC.

One Accounting Tax® Since 2017
Call/Text: (617) 829-0928 or email service@oneaccountingtax.com to schedule an in-person consultation or video call with our Tax Advisors (IRS Enrolled Agent, EA) today. Serving Braintree, Quincy, and Greater Boston with full-service accounting—tax preparation, payroll, bookkeeping, and year-round tax planning.
Contact Our Local Tax Advisors Today!

Personal Use and Mixed-Use Vehicles

To qualify, you must anticipate using the vehicle for personal purposes more than 50% of the time when you buy it. The good news is that you are not required to adjust this estimate in future years, even if your personal use percentage drops.

For our clients who are gig workers or small business owners using a vehicle for both work and personal life, the rules require precision. You can still claim a business expense deduction for the business-use portion of the interest. However, this will proportionally reduce the amount you can claim on the new Schedule 1-A. We can assist you in calculating this split to ensure you remain compliant.

Financing and Eligible Expenses

The deduction covers interest on the financed purchase price, as well as interest linked to sales taxes, vehicle fees, and service plans. However, be aware of the source of the loan:

  • Allowable: Loans from independent lenders like banks, credit unions, or finance companies secured by the vehicle.
  • Excluded: Loans from family members and interest paid on leased vehicles do not qualify.

Furthermore, if you refinance the loan later, the interest is only deductible on the outstanding balance at the time of refinancing.

Analyzing finances and credit

Documentation: The New Form 1098-VLI

Documentation is the backbone of audit protection. Lenders are required to file a new form, Form 1098-VLI, if they receive at least $600 in interest from you. While this form will become standard, for the 2025 tax year, lenders may simply provide a statement showing the interest paid. Keep these documents safe, as we will need them when preparing your filing.

Strategic Tax Planning in Quincy

Navigating new legislative changes requires a proactive approach. Whether you are managing real estate investments or just trying to maximize your family's tax refund, understanding these nuances is key.

If you are considering a vehicle purchase and want to discuss how this deduction fits into your broader financial picture, please reach out. As your local Accountant and tax specialist, I am here to ensure you don't leave money on the table.

Contact our office today to schedule a consultation regarding your 2025 tax planning.

One Accounting Tax® Since 2017
Call/Text: (617) 829-0928 or email service@oneaccountingtax.com to schedule an in-person consultation or video call with our Tax Advisors (IRS Enrolled Agent, EA) today. Serving Braintree, Quincy, and Greater Boston with full-service accounting—tax preparation, payroll, bookkeeping, and year-round tax planning.
Contact Our Local Tax Advisors Today!
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