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New Tax Deduction for American-Made Vehicles: A 2025 Guide

For most individual taxpayers, the interest paid on a personal car loan has been non-deductible for decades. However, proposed regulations under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act are shifting gears on this rule. Starting with loans originated after December 31, 2024, a new temporary tax relief provision will allow eligible buyers to deduct interest on qualified, American-assembled passenger vehicles. This benefit is slated to run for tax years 2025 through 2028.

Understanding the Financial Benefit

This is a "below-the-line" deduction, meaning you do not need to itemize to claim it. Whether you take the standard deduction or itemize, you can reduce your taxable income by the amount of interest paid, up to a specific cap.

Father and son looking at a new car

Deduction Limits and Income Phaseouts

The IRS has set an annual cap of $10,000 per tax return. Interestingly, married taxpayers filing separately can each claim up to this $10,000 limit. However, this benefit is targeted toward specific income brackets. The deduction begins to phase out for single filers with a modified Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) over $150,000, and for married couples filing jointly with an AGI over $250,000.

Vehicle and Loan Eligibility

Not every car on the lot will qualify. To ensure your purchase is eligible, keep these criteria in mind:

  • American Assembly: The vehicle must be assembled in the U.S. This aligns with legislative efforts to boost domestic manufacturing.

  • New Vehicles Only: The deduction applies to new cars, SUVs, minivans, pickup trucks, and motorcycles with a gross vehicle weight rating under 14,000 pounds.

  • Lender Requirements: The loan must be secured by the vehicle and originate from an independent lender, such as a bank or credit union. Personal loans from family members do not qualify.

You can verify a vehicle's final assembly point using its VIN here: Welcome to VIN Decoding : provided by vPIC

Personal vs. Business Use

For our clients in Long Island—from Medford to Mastic—who often use their vehicles for both commuting and side hustles, proper classification is key. To qualify, you must anticipate using the vehicle for personal purposes more than 50% of the time when you buy it. If you use the car for both business and personal reasons, we will need to calculate a proportional split. You can claim a business expense deduction for the business portion and this new deduction for the personal portion, ensuring you don't leave money on the table.

Documentation for Tax Time

When preparing your Form 1040, we will need to file a new schedule that includes the vehicle's VIN. Lenders are required to file Form 1098-VLI if you paid at least $600 in interest, though for 2025, they may provide a simple statement instead.

Navigating new tax legislation requires a proactive approach. If you are planning a vehicle purchase in 2025 and want to ensure it fits your tax strategy, let’s talk.

Contact our office today for assistance with tax planning and preparation.

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