Читать книгу Investing For Dummies - Eric Tyson - Страница 56

Although it’s true that mortgage interest is usually tax-deductible, don’t forget that you must also pay taxes on investment profits generated outside of retirement accounts (if you do forget, you’re sure to end up in trouble with the IRS). You can purchase tax-free investments like municipal bonds (see Chapter 7), but over the long haul, such bonds and other types of lending investments (bank savings accounts, CDs, and other bonds) are unlikely to earn a rate of return that’s higher than the cost of your mortgage.

And don’t assume that those mortgage interest deductions are that great. Just for being a living, breathing human being, you automatically qualify for the so-called “standard deduction” on your federal tax return. In 2020, this standard deduction was worth $12,400 for single filers and $24,800 for married couples filing jointly. Mortgage interest deductions now are also limited to mortgage debt of $750,000. If you have no mortgage interest deductions — or have fewer than you used to — you may not be missing out on as much of a write-off as you think. (Plus, having one less schedule to complete on your tax return is a joy!)