Not very many homeowners ever stop to question if there is a real benefit to the deduction of mortgage interest. They assume because the your mortgage lenders play on the fact that mortgage interest is tax deductible.

Not very many homeowners ever stop to question if there is a real benefit to the deduction of mortgage interest. They assume because the your mortgage lenders play on the fact that mortgage interest is tax deductible and credit card interest is not, that they are being told the truth, and will see a real benefit from the deduction of mortgage interest. Well, let me be the first to say, yes there is probably a benefit to be had, is it the advantage that many lending institutions lead us to believe? Probably not.

Now, with the advent and continued growth of the interest only loan, the benefit has just swung in the taxpayer’s favor. But, is the trade-off worth the cost? Interest only loans mean to the average home owner that there mortgage debt will last longer, well past the number of years of a standard adjustable rate mortgage or fixed rate mortgage. Yes, the interest deduction is greater, but what is the cost of the missed opportunity to do something else with your money, 10 or 15 years from now? Will the tax benefit outweigh the financial cost of adding 10 or 15 years to the life of your mortgage?

Very few consumers are actually as tax savvy as they need to be, in the area of mortgage interest deduction and how to calculate actual savings. This means that very few consumers are actually aware of the real benefits and the real costs associated with their mortgage and their tax status. How can you determine the real benefit? It will require some effort on your part, in one of two ways: You can educate yourself about the tax and mortgage regulations, or you can seek the advice of a trusted financial advisor. The keyword here is trusted. You must take the time to establish a relationship with a financial advisor with whom you feel comfortable, and with whom you can communicate and trust.

The information that you provide to a financial advisor or tax analyst, will enable them to give you advice that fits your individual and unique situation. Every individual situation is different, and much of the tax benefit is dependent upon your individual income levels.There is often a real seesaw in this relationship. In the early years, when your earnings are low, your tax benefit from mortgage interest paid is much greater. Then, as you age and your wage earning potential increases, your benefit from the mortgage interest deduction decreases. Unless of course, you can find a way to drastically reduce your adjusted gross income. Many individuals do this through the option of self-employment. This makes better use of your income dollars, and allows for a greater tax deduction on home mortgage interest.