PMI Deduction In 2020
If you obtain a new home loan with PMI (private mortgage insurance) in 2020 you might be able to deduct the cost of the insurance on your tax return. The rules are just as complicated as most other tax laws, so you should consult a CPA for guidance.
What is PMI?
It protects the lender from the risk that you might default on your home mortgage. As the borrower, you pay the PMI premiums. PMI is purchased through a private company, and lenders generally require it if your down payment or existing equity is less than 20% of the appraised value of your home.
Who benefits from tax deduction?
If you and your spouse file a joint tax return and have adjusted gross income (AGI) of no more than $100,000 or if you file an individual tax return and have AGI of no more than $50,000, you may be able to deduct 100 percent of the PMI you paid. You’ll need to itemize your tax deductions to take advantage of this benefit. The deduction is allowed for both purchases and if you refinance.
Your lender will report the annual amount of PMI you paid to you on the same year-end form that’s used to report annual mortgage interest (1098) or another form. This report is required only if the total PMI is more than $600.
Rethink piggyback or PMI equation
The PMI deduction is allowed only for mortgages that close through Dec. 31, 2020, unless the federal government renews the law for subsequent years.
This limited duration complicates the question of whether a single mortgage with PMI may be more preferable than two mortgages in a “piggyback” structure.
If the PMI deduction isn’t extended, you may still benefit from the two-loan option, or if you want to bank on the odds that the deduction will be extended, you may want to factor that expectation into your decision.
Either way, individual circumstances such as how long you plan to keep your mortgage and own your home, your ability to qualify for two loans, the purpose and type of your second loan, and your personal tolerance for risk, among other factors, may be more important than the tax benefit of the PMI deduction. Be sure to weigh all of the relevant factors before you make your decision.