Submitted By: Barbara
Answered: September 30, 2016 9:24 am

We own a home with no mortgage and a corporation with no debt. We need to make some improvements to our home. If we borrow the money from our corporation, can we deduct it?

It depends. Interest on a loan used for personal purposes is not deductible. Interest on a home equity loan, however, is deductible regardless of what you use the proceeds for. In order for a loan to be treated as a home equity loan, it must be secured by your residence. If you arrange the loan with the corporation so that the loan is secured by the residence, then interest would be deductible as a home equity loan. The limit on home equity debt for a married couple filing jointly is $100,000.

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Tax Glossary

Adjusted gross income (AGI)

Gross income less allowable adjustments, such as IRA, alimony, and Keogh deductions. AGI determines whether various tax benefits are phased out, such as personal exemptions, itemized deductions, and the rental loss allowance and modified adjusted gross income (MAGI).

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