For tax year 2019 (the taxes you file in 2020), the MAGI threshold was increased to $70,000 for single filers. So, if your MAGI was $70,000 or less in 2019 and your tax filing status is single, you could potentially deduct the full amount of qualified student loan interest you paid, up to a maximum of $2,500.
Is student loan interest deductible? Student loan interest is deductible if your modified adjusted gross income, or MAGI, is less than $70,000 ($140,000 if filing jointly). If your MAGI was between $70,000 and $85,000 ($170,000 if filing jointly), you can deduct less than than the maximum $2,500.
Student loan interest is interest you paid during the year on a qualified student loan. It includes both required and voluntarily pre-paid interest payments. You may deduct the lesser of $2,500 or the amount of interest you actually paid during the year.
For 2020 taxes, which are to be filed in 2021, the maximum student loan interest deduction is $2,500 for a single filer, head of household, or qualifying widow or widower with a modified adjusted gross income of less than $70,000.
Income limits for claiming the deduction
For your 2021 taxes, which you will file in 2021, the student loan interest deduction is worth up to $2,500 for a single filer, head of household, or qualifying widow(er) with MAGI of less than $70,000. This will remain the same for your 2022 taxes.
If you are single, head of household or a qualifying widow(er), your student loan interest phase-out starts at $70,000 modified AGI and the phase-out ends at $85,000. If you are married you can make $145,000 before phase-out begins. You can earn up to $175,000 which is the level at which the phase-out ends.
The student loan interest deduction phases out at higher incomes, so you'll be ineligible to claim the deduction if you make too much money. If you make more than $85,000 as a single filer, you can't get the student loan interest deduction.
Student Loan Interest Deduction
You can take a tax deduction for the interest paid on student loans that you took out for yourself, your spouse, or your dependent. This benefit applies to all loans (not just federal student loans) used to pay for higher education expenses. The maximum deduction is $2,500 a year.
Student loan cancellation: $125,000 income limit
Everyone won't qualify for student loan forgiveness. The Biden administration said that it's considering an annual income limit of $125,000 for student loan borrowers to qualify for wide-scale student loan forgiveness.
If you're filing as single, head of household, or qualifying widow(er): You can claim the full $2,500 student loan deduction if your modified AGI is $70,000 or less. Your deduction is gradually reduced if your modified AGI is $70,000 but less than $85,000.
So what is the student loan interest deduction really worth? Well, based on these criteria, $65,000 ($130,000 MFJ) of taxable income puts you in the 25% tax bracket. So, if you have paid at least $2,500 in interest, the maximum annual benefit is $625 (plus any state savings).
If you paid less than $2,500 in student loan interest, the amount of your deduction is based on the total amount you paid. For example, if you only paid $1,500 in interest for a given tax year, your deduction is $1,500. That means your taxable income will be reduced by $1,500.
Both help the IRS determine whether taxpayers may take advantage of certain credits and deductions. AGI can reduce the amount of your taxable income by subtracting certain deductions from your gross income. MAGI is your AGI after factoring in tax deductions and tax-exempt interest.
Also, the family may have special circumstances that affect their ability to pay for college. Eligible students may also qualify for other forms of financial aid, such as institutional grants. For example, some students whose parents earn $100,000 or more will qualify for grants from their college.
The laws and regulations for income-driven repayment (IDR) plans require payments to be calculated based on a combined household income, including your spouse's income if you are married.
With only one child attending college normally an income above $125K will disqualify you from financial aid qualification at a public university, and about double that, or $250K in income will disqualify you from garnering financial aid.
For 2021, the deduction is phased out for taxpayers who are married filing jointly with AGI between $140,000 and $170,000 ($70,000 and $85,000 for single filers). Thus, the deduction is unavailable for taxpayers with AGI of $170,000 ($85,000 for single filers) or more.
To be eligible for AOTC, the student must: Be pursuing a degree or other recognized education credential. Be enrolled at least half time for at least one academic period* beginning in the tax year. Not have finished the first four years of higher education at the beginning of the tax year.
You can't deduct qualified student loan interest payments you paid on a loan in your dependent's name. Neither of you can deduct the loan interest if both of these are true: You claim the student as a dependent. You pay the student's loan interest.
Some people who get Social Security must pay federal income taxes on their benefits. However, no one pays taxes on more than 85% percent of their Social Security benefits. You must pay taxes on your benefits if you file a federal tax return as an “individual” and your “combined income” exceeds $25,000.
Modified Adjusted Gross Income – Breaking it down
Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) – This is your Gross Income with certain allowable deductions subtracted but does not include the standard or itemized deductions or any exemptions.
Your modified adjusted gross income does not include your 401(k) contributions.
The Student Loan Interest Deduction lets borrowers deduct up to $2,500 in interest paid each year on federal and private student loans. The interest must have been paid on a qualified education loan, which includes all federal student loans and most private student loans.
Parent PLUS loans are educational loans and the borrower can get an income tax deduction. When borrowers review their tax deductions, they can deduct up to $2,500 per year in interest paid on the Parent PLUS loan.