Mortgage
#11
Thread Starter
My mortgage is my only debt. I like the interest write-off. Any expenses are covered by my liquid assets, at least so far. So I don't anticipate having to borrow any funds in the future. But I certainly have options if needed. How and how much to borrow is definitely an individual decision. For your situation, Ray, I don't see the point of a long-term (15 or 30) fixed-rate mortgage since you do not anticipate being in the house for that many years. I've owned this condo since Jan 2006, so almost 13 years in and have no plans to leave it.
#12
#13
Thread Starter
#14
As for refinancing in the initial period, yes (or at least a yes) when I did it. I had a 10/1 that I refi'd 6 years in when rates stayed low. I locked in at a low rate for 15 years at that point, paid 1 extra payment a year towards principle and was basically done in just under 15 from the initial purchase. Unless we move in retirement to some place where housing is so expensive, I hope to not have to borrow.
Ms P - Everyone is different and their situations are different, but I've never really understood that position. I can pay (obviously dependent on many things...) say 5000/year in interest to get back some on taxes... or I can pay nothing and get zero back.
The following users liked this post:
poorshoeless (12-24-2018)
#15
Thread Starter
Yes, I am aware of this thanks. We are looking at all options when we meet with our mortgage broker. We have also included our financial advisor at Goldman Sach's to get his advice. Lots of options out there so we want to choose the one that best fits our current and future needs. With the standard deduction approaching close to what we itemize the interest deduction is not a golden goose anymore.
#16
For a married couple filing a joint return, I believe the standard deduction will be $24,000.
And, for those who are over age 65 and taking the standard deduction, I believe that will be $1300 extra. So, if both of you are over 65, that will be an additional $2600 for a total standard deduction of $26,600. We've never gotten the extra "over age 65" deduction before, because we've always itemized our deductions, and then it was not allowed.
And, I think the state and local tax deduction on itemized deductions will have a limit of $10,000.
I think I read that only about 5% of people will itemize deductions now, compared to about 30% before.
#17
^ Will have to see what my CPA says about that for moi this year.
#18
Thread Starter
Very true. Fewer and fewer people will be itemizing for the tax year 2018.
For a married couple filing a joint return, I believe the standard deduction will be $24,000.
And, for those who are over age 65 and taking the standard deduction, I believe that will be $1300 extra. So, if both of you are over 65, that will be an additional $2600 for a total standard deduction of $26,600. We've never gotten the extra "over age 65" deduction before, because we've always itemized our deductions, and then it was not allowed.
And, I think the state and local tax deduction on itemized deductions will have a limit of $10,000.
I think I read that only about 5% of people will itemize deductions now, compared to about 30% before.
For a married couple filing a joint return, I believe the standard deduction will be $24,000.
And, for those who are over age 65 and taking the standard deduction, I believe that will be $1300 extra. So, if both of you are over 65, that will be an additional $2600 for a total standard deduction of $26,600. We've never gotten the extra "over age 65" deduction before, because we've always itemized our deductions, and then it was not allowed.
And, I think the state and local tax deduction on itemized deductions will have a limit of $10,000.
I think I read that only about 5% of people will itemize deductions now, compared to about 30% before.
#19
Registered User
It's not that I "don't have to" do itemizing, it's that I can "no longer do" itemizing, because the new tax law no longer allows all my state and local taxes (above 10,000) to be deducted. My property taxes alone exceed that. So by limiting my itemized, I now "get" to take the standard deduction, and guess what? I'm paying more taxes! And my income is not very high either. (5 figures)
#20
^ Fortunately, I don't exceed the limit.