NewsFinale
  • Home
  • News
  • Local News
  • Business
  • Health
  • Finance
  • Celeb Lifestyle
  • Crime
  • Entertainment
  • Advertise Here
Gleammour AquaFresh
NewsFinale
  • Home
  • News
  • Local News
  • Business
  • Health
  • Finance
  • Celeb Lifestyle
  • Crime
  • Entertainment
  • Advertise Here
Home Local News Potential Tax Savings on Auto Loans: Could It Drive Up Car Sales?

Potential Tax Savings on Auto Loans: Could It Drive Up Car Sales?

New tax break for auto loans could save some buyers thousands of dollars. But will it boost sales?
Up next
1 injured, multiple vehicles shot into at Woodlawn High School
One Injured and Several Cars Hit by Gunfire at Woodlawn High School
Published on 13 July 2025
Author
NewsFinale Journal
Share and Follow
FacebookXRedditPinterestWhatsApp


Millions of people receive a federal tax deduction for the interest they pay on home loans. Under President Donald Trump’s new tax-cut law, many people for the first time also could claim a tax deduction for interest on their vehicle loans.

The new tax break will be available even to people who don’t itemize deductions. But there are some caveats that could limit its reach. The vehicles must be new, not used. They must be assembled in the U.S. And the loans must be issued no sooner than this year, to list just a few qualifications.

Here are some things to know about the new auto loan interest tax deduction:

Candidate Trump promised an auto loan interest tax break

Trump pledged while campaigning last year to make interest on car loans tax-deductible. He said it would make car ownership more affordable and “stimulate massive domestic auto production.”

The idea made it into the big tax-cut bill passed by Congress, which Trump signed into law July 4.

The law allows taxpayers to deduct up to $10,000 of interest payments annually on loans for new American-made vehicles from 2025 through 2028. It applies to cars, motorcycles, sport utility vehicles, minivans, vans and pickup trucks weighing less than 14,000 pounds, a threshold referred to as light vehicles. But it only applies to vehicles purchased for personal use, not for fleets or commercial purposes.

The tax break can be claimed starting on 2025 income tax returns. But the deduction phases out for individuals with incomes between $100,000 and $150,000 or joint taxpayers with incomes between $200,000 and $250,000. Those earning more cannot claim the tax break.

Millions of buyers could benefit, but millions of others will not

U.S. automobile dealers sold 15.9 million new light vehicles last year, a little over half of which were assembled in the U.S, according to Cox Automotive. It says around 60% of retail sales are financed with loans.

After excluding fleet and commercial vehicles and customers above the income cutoff, an estimated 3.5 million new vehicle loans could be eligible for the tax break this year, if purchasing patterns stay the same, said Jonathan Smoke, chief economist at Cox Automotive.

It’s the assembly plant, not the automaker’s headquarters that matters

The tax break applies to vehicles assembled in the U.S., no matter where the company making them is headquartered. All Tesla vehicles sold in the U.S. are assembled in this country. But so are all Acura brands, the luxury model of Japanese automaker Honda.

Last year, 78% of Ford vehicles sold in the U.S. were assembled in this country, according to Cox Automotive. But customers wanting the tax break will need to pay attention to specific models. While the Ford Mustang is assembled in Michigan, the Mustang Mach-E is built in Mexico.

General Motors assembles all of its Cadillacs in the U.S. But just 44% of its Chevrolets sold last year were assembled in the U.S., and just 14% of Buicks, according to Cox Automotive. That’s a lower U.S-assembled rate than Honda (60%), Toyota (52%) and Nissan (48%), which all are headquartered in Japan.

Taxpayers could save hundreds of dollars a year

The average new vehicle loan is about $44,000 financed over six years. Interest rates vary by customer, so the savings will, too. In general, the tax deduction will decline after the initial year, because interest payments on loans are frontloaded while principal payments grow on the back end.

At a 9.3% interest rate, an average new vehicle buyer could save about $2,200 on taxes over four years, Smoke said. The tax savings would be less on a loan at 6.5%, which is the rate figured into calculations by the American Financial Services Association, a consumer credit industry trade group.

Some people also could see a reduction in state income taxes

Whereas the tax deduction for home loan interest can be claimed only by people itemizing on their tax returns, Congress wrote the deduction for auto loan interest so that it can apply to all taxpayers, including those claiming the standard deduction.

On a tax form, the auto loan deduction will come before the calculation of a taxpayer’s adjusted gross income. That’s an important distinction, because many states use a taxpayer’s federal adjusted gross income as the starting point for figuring their state income taxes. If that income figure is lower, it could reduce the state taxes owed.

The verdict is out on whether the tax break will boost sales

At Bowen Scarff Ford in Kent, Washington, customers started asking about the auto loan tax deduction before Congress had even taken a final vote on the tax-cut bill, said General Manager Paul Ray. So he decided to promote it on the dealer’s website.

A website ribbon exclaims: “CAR LOAN TAX DEDUCTION NOW AVAILABLE” while also promoting an electric vehicle tax credit that is ending soon as a result of Trump’s tax-cut law.

“I think it’s going to help incentivize vehicle purchases through this year,” Ray said.

Celia Winslow, president and CEO of the American Financial Services Association, concurred: “For some people deciding — should I buy it, should I not — this could be something that tips the scale.”

Others remain skeptical. According to Smoke’s math, the average annual tax savings is smaller than a single month’s loan payment for a new vehicle.

“I don’t think it moves the needle on somebody on the fence of buying a new vehicle or not,” Smoke said. “But I think it could influence their decision to finance that vehicle instead of paying cash or instead of leasing a vehicle.”

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Share and Follow
FacebookXRedditPinterestWhatsApp
You May Also Like
Trump says he's considering 'taking away' Rosie O'Donnell's US citizenship
  • Local News

Trump considers revoking Rosie O’Donnell’s US citizenship

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump says he is considering “taking away” the…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • July 12, 2025
Student-led protest demonstrations unfold amid Turning Point USA Student Action Summit
  • Local News

Student-led protest demonstrations unfold amid Turning Point USA Student Action Summit

TAMPA, Fla. (WRIC) — Student-led protest demonstrations lined the streets of City…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • July 13, 2025
Champaign Water Policy Director provides insight into algae bloom issue in Mattoon
  • Local News

Insight from Champaign Water Policy Director on Algae Bloom Issue in Mattoon

MATTOON, Ill. (WCIA) — The Mattoon tap water is still ruled unsafe…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • July 12, 2025
Tropical development looking more possible off Florida’s Gulf Coast. Everything to know
  • Local News

Increased Likelihood of Tropical Formation Near Florida’s Gulf Coast: Key Information You Need

ORLANDO, Fla. – The National Hurricane Center on Saturday designated a new…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • July 13, 2025
The EU delays retaliatory tariffs on US goods in hopes of reaching a deal soon
  • Local News

The EU Postpones Retaliatory Tariffs on US Imports, Aiming for a Swift Agreement

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union will suspend retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods scheduled…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • July 13, 2025
California farmworker who fell from greenhouse roof during chaotic ICE raid dies
  • Local News

California Farmworker Dies After Falling from Greenhouse Roof During Intense ICE Raid

SAN FRANCISCO – A farmworker who fell from a greenhouse roof during…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • July 13, 2025
St. Joseph aiming to increase population for state rebate purposes
  • Local News

St. Joseph Seeks to Boost Population to Qualify for State Rebates

ST. JOSPEH, Ill. (WCIA) — The Village of St. Joseph is offering…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • July 13, 2025
George Santos tells Tucker Carlson he's not sure he'll survive prison
  • Local News

George Santos tells Tucker Carlson he's not sure he'll survive prison

George Santos, the former New York lawmaker who was sentenced to prison for fraud…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • July 12, 2025
What is padel, the latest racket sport to gain popularity in the US?
  • Local News

Discover Padel: The Fast-Growing Racket Sport Captivating the US

(NEXSTAR) — Outdoor courts for a popular racket sport have popped up…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • July 13, 2025
People alarmed as mom asks 'find my daughter' in scenic rock photo... can you spot her in 20 seconds?
  • AU

Can You Locate the Daughter in This Scenic Rock Photo in Just 20 Seconds? Concerned Mom Asks for Help

<!– <!– <!– <!– <!– <!– A parent…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • July 13, 2025
Jennifer Aniston Might Be Dating, but Marriage Probably Isn't in the Cards
  • Entertainment

Jennifer Aniston Possibly in a Relationship, but Marriage Unlikely

Notable People Jennifer Aniston is rumored to be dating again, but in…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • July 13, 2025
Suspect shoots trooper, opens fire at Kentucky church leaving multiple people injured
  • US

Suspect shoots trooper, opens fire at Kentucky church leaving multiple people injured

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Authorities in Kentucky are…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • July 13, 2025
NewsFinale Journal
  • Home
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Sitemap
  • DMCA
  • Advertise Here
  • Donate