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Car loan interest deduction checker

A few yes or no questions show which IRS rules for the car loan interest deduction may apply to you, and an estimated deduction range. Uses the official IRS figures for 2025 to 2028: $10,000 of interest per return, per year, phase-out starts at modified AGI over $100,000 ($200,000 joint).

Not tax advice. TaxBreakChecker explains the official IRS rules in plain English. It is not affiliated with the IRS or any government agency. Confirm with a tax professional or your tax software.
What is your filing status?
Was the vehicle new when you bought it (you are the first owner)?
Did you buy it with a loan (not a lease)?
Did the loan start after December 31, 2024?
Do you expect to use it for personal use more than half the time?
What kind of vehicle is it?
Is the gross vehicle weight rating under 14,000 pounds?It is on the sticker inside the driver door. Almost all cars, SUVs and light pickups are well under.
Did final assembly happen in the United States?Not sure? Use our VIN lookup or check the window sticker.
Is the loan secured by a lien on the vehicle (the lender holds the title)?

Your answers stay in your browser. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere.

Not sure where your vehicle was built?

Find the VIN on the lower driver side of the windshield, the driver door jamb, your registration or your loan papers. The lookup runs in your browser using NHTSA's free vPIC service.

Want the full rules first? Read our plain-English guide to the car loan interest deduction.

About this checker

Does this checker tell me if I qualify?

No. It shows which official IRS rules may apply based on your answers and gives a rough estimated range. Only you and your tax professional or tax software can decide what goes on your return.

Is my information saved?

No. The checker runs in your browser. Your answers are not saved or sent anywhere.

How is the estimate figured?

It follows the steps on IRS Schedule 1-A: apply the cap, then the income phase-out. The range allows for your numbers being a bit different from what you entered.

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