Direct Answer
The OBBBA auto loan interest deduction (IRC § 163(h)(4)) lets taxpayers deduct interest paid on a loan for a qualifying new vehicle from federal taxable income for tax years 2025 through 2028. The cap is $10,000 per return per year. The vehicle must be new (not used), assembled in the United States, and purchased after December 31, 2024. Passenger vehicles only. The deduction is above the line: you do not need to itemize. It phases out starting at $100,000 MAGI for single and head of household filers ($200,000 for married filing jointly) and is fully eliminated at $150,000 MAGI single ($250,000 MFJ). Married Filing Separately filers do not qualify. Claimed on Schedule 1-A.
Key Takeaways
- Maximum deduction: $10,000 per return per year under IRC § 163(h)(4). All filing statuses use the same cap.
- Qualifying vehicle: new (not used), assembled in the United States, passenger vehicle, purchased after December 31, 2024.
- Loan type: the loan must have been used to purchase the qualifying vehicle. Leases do not qualify.
- Available for TY 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028 only. Expires after December 31, 2028.
- Above-the-line deduction: claim it whether you take the standard deduction or itemize. Filed on Schedule 1-A.
- Phase-out begins at $100,000 MAGI (single/HOH) and $200,000 MAGI (MFJ).
- Deduction fully eliminated at $150,000 MAGI (single/HOH) and $250,000 MAGI (MFJ).
- Married Filing Separately filers do not qualify.
- Can be combined with the IRC § 224 tip deduction and IRC § 225 overtime deduction on the same Schedule 1-A.
Quick Facts: Auto Loan Interest Deduction (Tax Year 2025)
Quick Facts — Tax Year 2025 (OBBBA)
| Item | Value | Status |
|---|
| IRC section | §163(h)(4) | Confirmed |
| Governing form | Schedule 1-A (Form 1040) | Confirmed |
| Maximum deduction | $10,000 per return per year | Confirmed |
| Phase-out threshold — single/HOH | $100,000 MAGI | Confirmed |
| Phase-out threshold — MFJ | $200,000 MAGI | Confirmed |
| Phase-out rate | $200 reduction per $1,000 over threshold | Confirmed |
| Phase-out elimination — single/HOH | $150,000 MAGI | Confirmed |
| Phase-out elimination — MFJ | $250,000 MAGI | Confirmed |
| Vehicle requirement | New, U.S.-assembled (VIN prefix 1, 4, or 5), GVWR under 14,000 lbs | Confirmed |
| Purchase date requirement | After December 31, 2024 | Confirmed |
| Leases | Do not qualify — purchase loans only | Confirmed |
| Lender form (TY 2026+) | Form 1098-VLI | Confirmed |
| TY 2025 transitional relief | Any lender statement acceptable (IRS Notice 2025-57) | Confirmed |
| MFS filing status | Not eligible | Confirmed |
| OBBBA sunset | December 31, 2028 (TY 2025–2028) | Confirmed |
| State conformity | Varies — no federal mandate | Provisional |
How the Auto Loan Interest Deduction Is Calculated
Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Pub. L. 119-21), taxpayers can deduct interest paid on a qualifying new vehicle loan from federal taxable income using IRC § 163(h)(4). The deduction is claimed on Schedule 1-A of Form 1040. For a complete explanation of qualifying vehicle requirements, loan type rules, refinancing restrictions, and how to locate your interest figure on your lender statement, see our Auto Loan Interest Deduction Guide.
Step 1: Determine your qualifying interest paid
Your lender is required to issue an annual statement showing total interest paid on the loan. Starting with TY 2026, lenders must issue Form 1098-VLI (Vehicle Loan Interest Statement). For TY 2025 (transitional year), lenders may satisfy this requirement with any statement — annual, monthly, or via online portal — showing total interest paid by January 31, 2026. Use only the interest allocable to the qualifying new vehicle loan. If you have multiple auto loans, use only the interest from the loan used to purchase a qualifying vehicle.
Step 2: Apply the $10,000 cap
The deductible amount is the lesser of your actual qualifying interest paid or $10,000. The cap is per return, not per vehicle. If you purchased two qualifying vehicles in TY 2025, your combined deductible interest is still capped at $10,000 total across both loans.
Step 3: Apply the phase-out (if applicable)
If your MAGI exceeds $100,000 (single or head of household) or $200,000 (married filing jointly), the deduction is reduced. For every $1,000 of MAGI above the threshold, the deductible amount is reduced by $200. The phase-out eliminates the deduction entirely at $150,000 MAGI for single and HOH filers, and at $250,000 MAGI for MFJ filers.
Step 4: Calculate your income tax savings
Multiply your final deductible amount by your federal marginal income tax rate. A single filer in the 22% bracket with $5,000 in qualifying loan interest and MAGI below the phase-out threshold saves $1,100 in federal income tax.
Mixed Business and Personal Use
If you use the qualifying vehicle for both business and personal purposes, you cannot claim the same interest on both Schedule C (business deduction) and Schedule 1-A (§163(h)(4) personal deduction). Per IRS Notice 2025-57, you must allocate the interest by business-use percentage.
For example: if you drive 60% for business and 40% personal, 60% of the interest is allocated to Schedule C and 40% is potentially deductible on Schedule 1-A (subject to the $10,000 cap and MAGI phase-out). The Schedule 1-A deduction is limited to the personal-use portion only.
This allocation rule is established in IRS Notice 2025-57. Taxpayers with significant business use should calculate both deductions before deciding which treatment produces the greater benefit. Confirmed
Qualifying Vehicle Requirements
All four of the following requirements must be met for the vehicle loan interest to qualify under IRC § 163(h)(4).
- New vehicle: The vehicle must be new at the time of purchase. Used, pre-owned, and certified pre-owned vehicles do not qualify, even if assembled in the United States.
- U.S.-assembled: The vehicle must be finally assembled in the United States. Assembly location is determined by the vehicle identification number (VIN). Your dealer or manufacturer can confirm assembly location. Vehicles assembled in Canada or Mexico do not qualify.
- Passenger vehicle (under 14,000 lbs GVWR): The vehicle must have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than 14,000 lbs. This includes standard cars, crossovers, SUVs, minivans, and most pickup trucks. Medium-duty and heavy-duty commercial trucks at or above 14,000 lbs GVWR are excluded.
- Purchased after December 31, 2024: The purchase date determines eligibility. Vehicles purchased before January 1, 2025 do not qualify, even if the loan extends into TY 2025 or later tax years. Refinancing a loan on a pre-2025 vehicle does not create a new qualifying purchase date.
The deduction covers interest on the loan used to purchase the qualifying vehicle. Loan terms, interest rate, and lender type do not affect eligibility as long as the vehicle qualifies. Leases are not loans and do not qualify.
Phase-Out: How It Works Above $100,000
The phase-out reduces the deduction for higher-income filers. The reduction is steep: $200 for every $1,000 of MAGI above the threshold. Because the cap is $10,000, the deduction reaches zero after only $50,000 of additional MAGI above the threshold: $150,000 for single and HOH filers, and $250,000 for MFJ filers.
Phase-Out Example: Single Filer, $120,000 MAGI
MAGI above $100,000 threshold$20,000
Phase-out reduction (20 steps × $200)$4,000
Reduced cap after phase-out$6,000
Qualifying interest paid$4,800
Final deductible amount$4,800
In this example, the phase-out reduces the $10,000 cap to $6,000. The filer's actual interest of $4,800 is below the reduced cap, so the phase-out has no practical effect. The phase-out only reduces actual savings when qualifying interest paid is close to or above the reduced cap.
Phase-Out Example: Single Filer, $130,000 MAGI
MAGI above $100,000 threshold$30,000
Phase-out reduction (30 steps × $200)$6,000
Reduced cap after phase-out$4,000
Qualifying interest paid$7,200
Final deductible amount (capped at reduced cap)$4,000
Phase-Out Example: MFJ, $220,000 MAGI
MAGI above $200,000 threshold$20,000
Phase-out reduction (20 steps × $200)$4,000
Reduced cap after phase-out$6,000
Qualifying interest paid$5,500
Final deductible amount (capped at reduced cap)$5,500
Confirmed vs. Pending Guidance
IRC §163(h)(4) is enacted law. Most eligibility and phase-out rules are confirmed. The key pending items involve lender reporting and business/personal allocation safe harbors.
Confirmed by Statute and Notice 2025-57
Deduction cap$10,000 per return per year. All filing statuses. Confirmed
Deduction typeAbove-the-line. Claimed on Schedule 1-A. Does not require itemizing. Confirmed
Qualifying vehicleNew only, U.S.-assembled (VIN 1/4/5), passenger vehicle, GVWR < 14,000 lbs, purchased after Dec 31, 2024. Confirmed
Phase-out threshold$100,000 MAGI single/HOH · $200,000 MAGI MFJ Confirmed
Phase-out rate$200 reduction per $1,000 MAGI over threshold Confirmed
Fully phased out at$150,000 MAGI single/HOH · $250,000 MAGI MFJ Confirmed
LeasesDo not qualify. Loan must purchase the vehicle. Confirmed
Refinancing qualifying vehicleAllowed up to original qualified indebtedness. Confirmed
MFS filersDisqualified. No workaround. Confirmed
SunsetTY 2025–2028. Expires December 31, 2028. Confirmed
Pending IRS guidance: Form 1098-VLI from lenders is required starting TY 2026 (TY 2025: any sufficient lender statement is acceptable per Notice 2025-57). Business/personal use allocation: Notice 2025-57 requires allocation, but detailed safe harbor methods are pending. Pre-2025 vehicle refinancing clearly excluded; edge cases for TY 2026+ refinancing may receive additional guidance. Provisional
Who Benefits Most
Likely Gets Meaningful Benefit
Single filers earning under $100,000 who financed a new U.S.-assembled vehicle in 2025 or laterFull $10,000 cap available. No phase-out reduction.
Buyers with large loan balances on qualifying vehiclesMore interest paid in early amortization years = more to deduct, up to the cap.
Workers in the 22%–24% marginal bracketsMost meaningful income tax savings per dollar of deduction.
Gets Little or No Benefit
Buyers of foreign-assembled vehiclesExcluded regardless of make or brand. Assembly location governs — check VIN first character (must be 1, 4, or 5).
LesseesLeases are excluded. Loan must purchase the vehicle.
Single filers with MAGI above $150,000Fully phased out. MFJ filers phase out at $250,000.
Buyers of used or certified pre-owned vehiclesNew-only requirement. No exception for low-mileage used vehicles.
Buyers of commercial vehicles (GVWR ≥ 14,000 lbs)Heavy-duty vehicles excluded by statute.
Key Advantage: Above-the-Line vs. Itemized
Unlike the old mortgage interest deduction, this deduction is above-the-line (Schedule 1-A). It reduces AGI before the standard/itemized deduction choice. You do not need to itemize.
Standard Deduction vs. Auto Loan Deduction — Why Both Apply
Single, $60,000 income, $8,000 auto interest, takes standard deduction$8,000 §163(h)(4) deduction reduces AGI to $52,000. Then standard deduction ($15,000) applies to $52,000. Both deductions stack.
Single, $60,000 income, $8,000 auto interest, itemizesAuto loan deduction reduces AGI first (above-the-line), then itemized deductions reduce further. Double benefit if other itemized items exist.
Single, $155,000 MAGIFully phased out at $150,000. No §163(h)(4) deduction available.
Real-World Scenarios
Single Filer, TY 2025 — New U.S.-Assembled Sedan, $38,000 Purchase Price
Vehicle purchase price$38,000
Loan amount (after down payment)$32,000
Loan term and rate60 months, 6.9% APR
Year 1 interest paid (approx.)$2,060
Cap check ($10,000)Under cap
MAGI ($72,000 vs $100,000 threshold)No phase-out
Deductible amount (TY 2025)$2,060
Federal marginal rate (22% bracket)22%
Federal income tax savings$453.20
This filer saves approximately $453 in federal income tax for TY 2025. As the loan ages, annual interest paid decreases with each year of amortization, reducing the deductible amount in later tax years. The deduction remains available each year through TY 2028 as long as the filer continues to qualify. The filer claims the deduction on Schedule 1-A and does not need to itemize.
Scenario 2: MFJ, $150,000 Household Income, $35,000 Loan at 7% — 60 Months (Derived)
Year 1 interest paid (approx.)$2,200
Cap check ($10,000)Under cap
MAGI phase-out check ($150,000 vs $200,000 MFJ)No phase-out
Deductible amount$2,200
Federal marginal rate (22% bracket)22%
Federal income tax savings$484 Derived
Scenario 3: Single, $75,000 Income, $55,000 Loan at 6.5% — 72 Months, 4-Year Estimate (Derived)
Year 1 interest paid (approx.)$3,400
Year 2 interest paid (approx.)$3,100
MAGI phase-out check ($75,000 vs $100,000)No phase-out — full deduction each year
Marginal rate: 22%Saves ~$748/year on average
Estimated 4-year benefit (TY 2025–2028)~$2,800 total Derived
NoteInterest declines each year with amortization. Actual annual amounts will differ from estimates.
Practitioner Insight
LMN Tax Inc. — Client Pattern
The most common error we see involves used vehicles purchased from private sellers. A client who paid $32,000 for a three-year-old vehicle assembled in the United States cannot claim the deduction. The vehicle must be new. A second common error involves assembly location: several foreign-brand vehicles are assembled in the United States and qualify, while some domestic-brand vehicles are assembled outside the U.S. and do not. The VIN decoding tool at the NHTSA website confirms assembly country. Do not assume based on brand alone.
Refinancing is the third pattern we flag consistently. Clients who refinanced their 2023 or 2024 vehicle loan in 2025 sometimes expect to qualify under IRC § 163(h)(4). The purchase date remains the original date. Refinancing does not create a new qualifying purchase date. If the vehicle was bought before January 1, 2025, the interest on any refinanced loan does not qualify regardless of when the refinance occurred.
MFS filers who discover this deduction after the fact are often disappointed. The statute disqualifies MFS filers entirely. There is no proration or workaround. For couples in community property states where both spouses contributed to the vehicle purchase, the MFS disqualification can produce an inequitable result. We flag this at the planning stage when clients are deciding whether to file MFJ or MFS for other reasons.
When This Deduction Does Not Apply
- Used vehicles: the vehicle must be new at the time of purchase. There is no exception for low-mileage or lightly used vehicles.
- Vehicles not assembled in the United States: assembly location controls, not the brand or country of the manufacturer's headquarters.
- Vehicles purchased before January 1, 2025: the purchase must have occurred after December 31, 2024. Loans originated in 2024 or earlier do not qualify, even if payments continue through 2025 and beyond.
- Vehicle leases: a lease is not a loan. Lease payments do not include deductible interest under IRC § 163(h)(4).
- Commercial and heavy-duty vehicles: the vehicle must have a GVWR of less than 14,000 lbs. Vehicles at or above that threshold do not qualify under this personal deduction.
- Refinancing a pre-2025 vehicle: refinancing a loan on a vehicle originally purchased before January 1, 2025 does not create a new qualifying purchase date. Interest on such a refinanced loan does not qualify. Refinancing a loan on a qualifying post-2024 vehicle is allowed, but the deductible interest is limited to the amount allocable to the original qualified indebtedness. You cannot increase the deductible base by refinancing to a higher loan amount.
- Married Filing Separately filers: the deduction is disqualified by statute. There is no workaround.
- MAGI above the phase-out elimination point: single and HOH filers with MAGI at or above $150,000 receive no deduction. MFJ filers phase out at $250,000.
- After December 31, 2028: the deduction sunset is fixed. Interest paid in 2029 and beyond receives no federal deduction unless Congress acts.
State Tax Conformity
IRC § 163(h)(4) is a federal income tax deduction. Most states have not enacted a matching provision. If your state does not conform to the OBBBA auto loan interest deduction, auto loan interest remains fully taxable at the state level regardless of what you claim on your federal Schedule 1-A.
State conformity is a legislative question. As of March 2026, no IRS or Treasury guidance addresses state-level treatment. Check your state tax authority's website or consult a tax professional familiar with your state's tax code before assuming any state savings from this deduction.
This calculator produces a federal income tax estimate only. State tax savings, if any, are not included in the result.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the $10,000 cap on the auto loan interest deduction?
Under IRC § 163(h)(4), the maximum deduction is $10,000 per return per year. This cap applies regardless of filing status. If you paid less than $10,000 in qualifying auto loan interest, you deduct only what you actually paid. The cap is per return, not per vehicle or per loan.
Which vehicles qualify for the auto loan interest deduction?
The vehicle must be new (not used), assembled in the United States, a passenger vehicle (not commercial or heavy-duty), and purchased after December 31, 2024. All four requirements must be met. A used vehicle assembled in the U.S. does not qualify. A new vehicle assembled outside the U.S. does not qualify. Check the VIN using the NHTSA database if you are uncertain about assembly location.
Can I deduct auto loan interest if I take the standard deduction?
Yes. IRC § 163(h)(4) is an above-the-line deduction. It reduces your adjusted gross income before the standard deduction is applied. You do not need to itemize to claim it. You claim it on Schedule 1-A (Form 1040).
What are the income phase-out limits for the auto loan interest deduction?
The deduction phases out when MAGI exceeds $100,000 for single and head of household filers, and $200,000 for married filing jointly. The deduction is reduced by $200 for every $1,000 of MAGI above the threshold. The deduction reaches zero at $150,000 MAGI for single and HOH filers and at $250,000 MAGI for MFJ filers.
Does the deduction apply to used vehicles?
No. IRC § 163(h)(4) applies only to new vehicles purchased after December 31, 2024. A used, pre-owned, or certified pre-owned vehicle does not qualify, regardless of how recently it was manufactured or whether it was assembled in the United States.
Does the deduction apply if I refinanced my auto loan?
Refinancing a loan on a vehicle purchased before January 1, 2025 does not create a new qualifying purchase date. The original purchase date determines eligibility. If the vehicle was purchased before 2025, interest on a refinanced loan does not qualify under IRC § 163(h)(4).
What if I am married but file separately?
Married Filing Separately filers cannot claim the IRC § 163(h)(4) auto loan interest deduction. The statute requires a married taxpayer to file a joint return to be eligible. There is no workaround for this restriction.
Can I claim both the auto loan interest deduction and the no tax on tips or overtime deductions?
Yes. The IRC § 163(h)(4) auto loan interest deduction, the IRC § 224 no tax on tips deduction, and the IRC § 225 no tax on overtime deduction are separate deductions. All three can be claimed on the same Schedule 1-A if the taxpayer qualifies independently for each. Each deduction has its own cap and phase-out. Claiming one does not reduce or disqualify another.
Does the deduction apply to vehicle leases?
No. IRC § 163(h)(4) applies to interest on a loan used to purchase a qualifying new vehicle. A lease is not a loan. Lease payments do not include deductible interest under this provision, and the lessee does not own the vehicle.
When does the auto loan interest deduction expire?
The deduction applies to tax years 2025 through 2028. Under IRC § 163(h)(4), no deduction is allowed for any tax year beginning after December 31, 2028. Congress would need to act to extend or make it permanent.
How do I find my qualifying auto loan interest paid for the year?
Your lender is required to provide a Form 1098 or equivalent annual statement showing total interest paid. For auto loans, lenders typically provide this in January for the prior tax year. Use the total interest figure from that statement for the qualifying vehicle loan only. If you have multiple auto loans, use only the interest from the loan used to purchase the qualifying new vehicle.
Next Step
If you purchased a new U.S.-assembled passenger vehicle after December 31, 2024 and financed it with a loan, use this calculator to estimate your deduction and verify your marginal rate. Then claim the deduction on Schedule 1-A when filing your return.
If your MAGI is approaching $100,000 (single/HOH) or $200,000 (MFJ), run the phase-out calculation before filing. The deduction reduces $200 for each $1,000 above the threshold. At $125,000 MAGI single, the deductible cap falls to $5,000. At $150,000 MAGI single, the deduction is fully eliminated.
If you also received tip income or overtime pay in TY 2025 or 2026, you can claim all three OBBBA deductions on the same Schedule 1-A. Use the No Tax on Tips Calculator and the No Tax on Overtime Calculator to estimate combined savings. Each deduction has its own cap and phase-out and they do not reduce each other.
After calculating your deduction, use the Refund Date Estimator to estimate how a lower federal tax bill may affect your expected refund timing.
The auto loan deduction is one of six OBBBA provisions for TY 2025–2028. If you also have tip income, overtime pay, or children, other OBBBA provisions may apply on the same return. See the OBBBA Tax Changes Guide for a complete overview and stacking rules.
Related OBBBA Tools and Guides