Exodus Financial Group LLC

Military Combat Pay – Did You Know?

Members of the military may generally exclude combat pay from their taxable income up to a certain limit. However, if you receive military combat pay, including it as earned income may help you qualify for the Child Tax Credit or Earned Income Tax Credit. In some cases, this can even result in a larger tax refund.

Injured Spouse Relief - Did You Know?

If you file a joint tax return and the IRS withholds your refund due to debts owed only by your spouse, you may be able to claim your share of the refund. This program, known as Injured Spouse Relief, may be available to you regardless of whether you live with your spouse.

"No Tax on Car Loan Interest" Deduction – Did You Know?

The recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) created a new tax deduction for interest paid on certain car loans. Eligible people who initiate qualifying auto loans after December 31, 2024 may deduct up to $10,000 per year of loan interest, regardless of whether they itemize deductions on their tax returns.

Eligibility criteria for the deduction include income limits, and a requirement that the vehicle be purchased new for personal (not business) driving purposes. In general, to deduct car loan interest in full, a married couple filing a joint return must have a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) under $200,000. For other filing statuses, the MAGI limit for the full deduction is $100,000. The deduction phases out at higher income levels. Other restrictions include a requirement that the vehicle underwent final assembly in the U.S.

If you qualify for the deduction, you will need to document the amount of auto loan interest you paid. You may receive a year-end tax form from the lender providing this information, but for this year, lenders may make the information available to borrowers in other ways. A tax professional can help you determine whether you qualify to deduct auto loan interest, and if so, help you properly report the interest you paid to get the largest deduction possible.