Items You Cannot Deduct

Some interest payments are not deductible. Certain expenses similar to interest also are not deductible. Nondeductible expenses include the following items.

• Personal interest (discussed later).
• Service charges (however, see Other Expenses in chapter 30).
• Annual fees for credit cards.
• Loan fees.
• Credit investigation fees.
• FHA mortgage insurance premiums and VA funding fees.
• Interest to purchase or carry tax-exempt securities.

Penalties. You cannot deduct fines and penalties for violations of law, regardless of their nature.

Personal Interest

Personal interest is not deductible. Personal interest is any interest that is not home mortgage interest, investment interest, business interest, or other deductible interest. It includes the following items.

• Interest on car loans (unless you use the car for business).
• Interest on federal, state, or local income tax.
• Finance charges on credit cards, retail installment contracts, and revolving charge accounts incurred for personal expenses.
• Late payment charges by a public utility.

You may be able to deduct interest you pay on a qualified student loan. For details, see Publication 970.

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