What is the Federal Student Loan Interest Deduction?
A tax deduction lowers your taxable income, which in turn lowers your overall tax obligation. You can deduct student loan interest from your taxable income even if you don't itemize. College students and their parents who take on debt to pay for their education might benefit from the student loan interest deduction.
The term "student loan interest deduction" refers to a federal income tax break that enables borrowers to deduct up to $2,500 of interest from their taxable income for eligible student loans. It is one of many tax benefits offered to students and their parents to assist in financing their higher education. To be eligible for the deduction, a person must meet a number of requirements, including filing status and income level.
Student loan interest is the interest you paid on an eligible student loan over the year. It covers both necessary and optional interest payments. If you had paid interest to an eligible loan program, this adjustment to your adjusted gross income (AGI) would be considered "above the line." You may use it whether you take the standard deduction or itemized deductions.
The interest you paid on student loans you obtained for yourself, your spouse, or a dependent is tax deductible. All loans taken out to cover the cost of higher education are eligible for this benefit. When your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) amount approaches the annual maximum for your filing status, the deduction is gradually reduced and eventually abolished via phase-out.
How Does the Student Loan Interest Deduction Works ?
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) lists a number of tax deductions that people can use to lower their annual taxable income. One of these is the student loan interest deduction, which enables you to deduct the interest you paid on a student loan for the tax year up to a maximum of $2,500. Thus, those in the 22% tax bracket who claim a $2,500 deduction can save $550 on their federal income taxes for the entire year.
Taxpayers who want to claim the deduction must be eligible. For illustration :
- The taxpayer, the taxpayer's spouse, or the taxpayer's dependent must have taken out the student loan (s). Parents who assist legitimate borrowers in repayment are ineligible for the deduction.
- The student must be enrolled at least half-time in a program leading to a degree, certificate, or other recognized credential during the academic period for which the loan is taken out.
- The loan cannot be used for housing and board, student health costs, insurance, or transportation; it must be used for approved higher-education expenses (tuition, fees, textbooks, supplies, and equipment).
- The proceeds of the loan must be disbursed either 90 days before the commencement of the academic year or 90 days after it concludes, and the loan must be repaid within a "reasonable period" after it is obtained.
- Any accredited public, non-profit, or privately owned for-profit post-secondary institution that takes part in the student aid programs run by the U.S. Department of Education qualifies as an eligible institution for this requirement.
- The student loan interest deduction is claimed as an adjustment to income on Form 1040, unlike the majority of other deductions. This implies that you can claim it without having to complete a Schedule A, which is a form used to itemize deductions.
Who is Eligible for Student Loan Interest Deduction ?
Several criteria must be met in order to qualify for the student loan tax deduction. You do not need to itemize your deductions because you are claiming this deduction as an adjustment to income. If each of the following conditions is met, you may claim the deduction :
- You need to have gone to a higher education facility that qualifies for Title IV federal student aid, which covers the majority of colleges and universities in the country.
- You must have taken classes at least part-time in college.
- Any non-qualified sources, such as family members or a company that gave you a loan to pay for education, cannot get the interest.
- During the tax year, you paid interest on an eligible student loan.
- A eligible student loan has an interest rate that you are required by law to pay.
- You do not file as a married person filing separately.
- Your MAGI falls below a yearly threshold that is established.
- If you and your spouse are filing jointly, neither of you may be included as a dependent on another person's tax return.
A loan you took out specifically to cover eligible higher education expenses that were:
- For you, your spouse, or someone who was a dependent on you at the time you applied for the loan.
- for instruction given to a qualified student over a given academic period.
- paid or incurred before or after you applied for the loan within a reasonable time frame.
For additional information regarding the student loan interest deduction and how your MAGI affects the deduction amount, go to Publication 970.
NOTE :
To assist taxpayers in determining their eligibility for the student loan interest deduction, the IRS has an interactive tool. You'll need your income details, such as your AGI, your filing status, and a summary of the expenses that the loan or loans covered in order to complete it, which takes around 10 minutes.
Income Limits for Student Loan Interest Deduction
A borrower does not automatically qualify for the student loan interest deduction just because they obtain a 1098-E form. If a taxpayer is eligible to claim a student loan interest deduction, the IRS utilizes modified adjusted gross income, generally known as MAGI.
To determine if you’re eligible for the Student Loan Interest Deduction, your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) will play a role. In 2025, there are income limits that affect the deduction:
- Single filers: If your MAGI is $85,000 or less, you can deduct up to $2,500 of interest. If your MAGI falls between $85,000 and $100,000, the deduction starts to phase out. Above $100,000, you will not be eligible to claim this deduction.
- Married couples filing jointly: If your combined MAGI is $170,000 or less, you can deduct up to $2,500. The deduction phases out if your MAGI falls between $170,000 and $200,000. Beyond $200,000, you’re no longer eligible.
It’s essential to keep these income thresholds in mind because they could impact how much of a deduction you’re able to claim.
You cannot claim the deduction in addition to the income restrictions if:
- You are listed as a dependent on your parent's or another relative's taxes.
- Legally, neither you nor your spouse are obligated to pay back the debt.
- Despite being married, you file separate tax returns.
Which Loans Qualify for Student Loan Interest Deduction ?
Any student loans controlled by the Department of Education are eligible for an interest waiver during the pandemic. These include consolidation loans, parent and graduate plus loans, subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford loans, and direct loans. There are several student loans that are not eligible for the interest waiver. If they are held commercially by lending institutions, they are the Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL) and the Perkins Loans. They are also protected if they are housed by the Department of Education.
Only loans taken out for your benefit, the benefit of your spouse, or the benefit of a dependent of yours and used to pay for admissible educational costs are eligible for the student loan interest deduction. Loans from employee-sponsored plans or private sources are ineligible. To be eligible, the student must be enrolled at least half-time and the loan must be for a specific academic term.
Which Expenses Qualify for Student Loan Interest Deduction ?
If a loan was taken out only to cover your qualified educational expenses, your spouse's qualified educational expenses, or the expenses of a dependent while you were enrolled in an eligible institution, then the interest paid on the loan will normally qualify for the student loan interest deduction. Loans made by family members or employers are not eligible for the deduction.
Qualified educational expenses include :
- Tuition and fees for colleges.
- Room, board, and other living costs.
- Books, supplies and equipment.
- additional costs, such as transportation.
If a college, university, or trade school has been given the go-ahead to take part in a student aid programme run by the U.S. Department of Education, then it is eligible.
NOTE :
Particularly for the student loan interest deduction, these costs apply. They may not be the same as those that will let you take advantage of other educational tax credits, such the American Opportunity credit or the Lifetime Learning credit.
How Much is the Student Loan Interest Deduction ?
Three things will determine how much money you can save on taxes thanks to the deduction:
- How much you spent on interest for your student loans.
- The percentage of interest that can be used to lower your taxable income.
- Your tax rate bracket.
The maximum deduction for student loan interest is $2,500. Therefore, the amount of student loan interest you paid during a tax year, or $2,500, whichever is less, will normally be deducted from your taxable income.
Keep in mind that as your income approaches the overall eligibility limits, the $2,500 maximum deduction is gradually phased out. Therefore, even if you paid $2,750 in interest, you could only be able to raise your income by $1,250 if your income is just above the eligibility thresholds.
How to Calculate Student Loan Interest Deduction ?
Your MAGI is the first step in calculating your deduction. This is your crucial adjusted gross income (AGI) before other tax deductions, such as the student loan interest deduction you're expecting to be eligible for, are taken into consideration. This cannot be subtracted before determining your MAGI. That would be equivalent to deducting the same expense twice for tax purposes.
To figure out how much interest you paid on your student loans for the year, you won't need to sift through every statement you received. A Form 1098-E from your lender ought to arrive sometime after the start of the year.
In general, your student loan interest deduction is limited to the lesser of, The amount of interest you paid throughout the tax year, or $2,500.
However, depending on your filing status and MAGI, the amount estimated above may be phased out (gradually decreased) or deleted.
What is the 1098-E Student Loan Tax Form ?
The 1098-E Student Loan Tax Form is a crucial document issued by your loan servicer or lender to help you report the amount of interest you paid on your student loans during the tax year. If you paid $600 or more in interest on your student loan, your lender will send you this form, which is necessary for claiming the Student Loan Interest Deduction. The form serves as proof of the interest payments you made, and you’ll use the information from it when filing your taxes to reduce your taxable income.
The form contains several key pieces of information, but the most important is Box 1, which shows the total interest you paid on your student loans for the year. This is the amount you can use to claim the deduction, which could be as much as $2,500 on your tax return. Other boxes may include details about principal payments (though these are not relevant to the deduction) or any early payments made during deferment or forbearance periods. The form also includes your lender’s identification number and other relevant data.
If you receive the 1098-E, you don’t need to itemize your deductions to claim the student loan interest. This is considered an above-the-line deduction, meaning it directly reduces your taxable income, even if you take the standard deduction. It’s important to note that if you paid less than $600 in interest, you may not receive this form. However, you can still claim the deduction by reviewing your loan statements or online account to find the total interest paid for the year.
In summary, the 1098-E form is an essential document for anyone looking to take advantage of the Student Loan Interest Deduction. By providing a summary of the interest payments you’ve made, it helps reduce your taxable income and can lead to significant tax savings. Be sure to include the information from this form when preparing your taxes to ensure you’re making the most of this tax benefit.
How to Claim the Student Loan Interest Deduction ?
An adjustment to income is made by the student loan interest deduction. To claim the student loan interest deduction, enter the allowable amount on Schedule 1 (Form 1040), line 21.
A "above the line" income adjustment on your tax return is the student loan interest deduction. Consequently, you may deduct it whether you're using the standard deduction or itemizing your deductions.
Student Loan Interest Deduction Form :
You'll need your 1098-E form to determine how much interest on student loans you paid for the year. If you are qualified, you will receive the form by January 31 of each year, either through the mail or through your online account.
You will automatically receive form 1098-E, a student loan interest deduction form, in the mail or via email if you paid more than $600 in interest. Due to the federally held loans' interest rates being frozen at 0% and the suspension of payments for the majority of the year, you might have paid less than that total. If you are still eligible, you may still deduct the amount you did paid.
Ask your student loan servicer or private lender to issue you a student loan interest deduction document if you don't already have one. Your online account portal might also have a copy of the form and information about the amount of interest you paid.
NOTE :
You can use the Interactive Tax Assistant provided by the IRS to ascertain whether you qualify for the student loan interest deduction and how much you could potentially save if you do.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the maximum amount of student loan interest deduction ?
Even if you paid more interest on your student loans, the most you could deduct in a year is $2,500.
If they assist with payments, may parents deduct the interest on student loans ?
If parents assist their child in paying off student loans, they cannot deduct this expense from their taxes. In actuality, the student is the debt owner because they are the borrower and their information is on the loan documentation.
Is student loan interest deductible in all cases ?
Both federal and private student loans are qualified for the deduction in terms of loan types. You must also meet all other requirements. For guidance on your particular circumstance, speak with a finance or accounting professional.
What are the income thresholds for the tax deduction for student loan interest?
The maximums are a single taxpayer's Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) of $85,000 and a joint taxpayer's MAGI of $170,000. The tax advantages, however, start to drop down at a MAGI of $70,000 for single filers and $140,000 for joint filers.
Do I have to itemize my deductions in order to get the tax deduction for student loan interest
You don't have to itemize since the deduction is what's known as a "above-the-line deduction."
Can I claim this deduction if my tax filing status is "Married filing separately"?
No, if you're filing a separate tax return from your spouse, you cannot take this deduction.
Can we each claim $2,500 if I file taxes as "Married filing jointly"?
No, if you file your taxes jointly with your husband, you can only deduct a total of $2,500 for each of you.
If I take the standard deduction rather than the itemized deductions, are I still allowed to claim this deduction?
You can, indeed. You can deduct the interest on student loans without having to itemize your deductions.
How long is the interest on student loans deductible?
There is no restriction on how long you can write off interest on student loans. You are eligible for this deduction each year that you are within the income restrictions, repay a qualified student loan, and meet the other qualifications.
Without a 1098-E, can interest on student loans be deducted ?
Ask your loan servicer how much interest you paid if you haven't received a 1098-E form but believe you ought to have. Additionally, if you complete all requirements for the deduction and your student loan interest was less than $600, you might still be eligible to deduct that interest without a 1098-E.
Who is qualify to deduct the student loan interest ?
If you file as single, head of household, or eligible widow(er), you may deduct interest on student loans that you paid yourself. If you file a joint return with your spouse, you may deduct interest on loans that you or they paid jointly. If you file a separate married return or are classified as a dependent on another person's tax return, you are not eligible to claim the student loan interest deduction.
Additionally, you must be bound by law to return the loan. The signatory on the loan must be either you or your spouse if you file a joint tax return. Even if you make the payments on your child's behalf, you cannot claim the deduction if they take out the loan in their own name and are the obligor. Only they have the authority to do this, providing you are not listing them as a dependency.