Recent speculation over eliminating or reducing the mortgage interest deduction (MID) has caused widespread rumors and myths about the vital tax benefit for homeowners. The MID is not only crucial to the stability of the American housing market and the overall economy, but any changes to it could lower the homeownership rate in the U.S.
As the leading advocate for homeownership, Realtors® believe the MID makes a real difference to homeowners, especially hard-working middle-class families. This fundamental tax benefit reduces the carrying costs of owning a home, making homeownership more attainable for families. It also helps those without thousands of dollars in savings who cannot buy their home outright begin to build their financial future through homeownership.
As Congress has looked for ways to address the deficit, some have suggested placing additional limits on the MID. The Arkansas Realtors® Association (ARA) questions the connection public policy makers are trying to make between the debt and the MID.
“It’s ridiculous to say that the MID is suddenly part of the deficit problem – the MID has been part of the federal tax code for nearly 100 years,” said Andy Meyers, 2011 President of the Arkansas Realtors® Association. “Reducing or eliminating it is a de facto tax increase on homeowners, who already pay 80 to 90 percent of U.S. federal income tax. That share could rise to 95 percent if the MID is eliminated.”
According to the 2011 National Housing Pulse Survey, Americans are adamantly against eliminating the MID. Two-thirds of respondents opposed eliminating the MID, and 73 percent of Americans said eliminating the MID would have a negative impact on the housing market and the overall economy.
The ARA also disputes the misconception that only the wealthy benefit from the MID, when in reality it primarily benefits middle- and lower income families. Almost two-thirds of those who claim the MID are middle-income earners; 65 percent of families who take the MID earn less than $100,000 a year, and 91 percent earn less than $200,000 a year.
“Is focusing solely on tax rates a better goal than protecting the wealth of the middle class?” said Meyers. “Changes to the MID could further damage the housing market’s recovery as well as the overall economy and job market. It is imperative that the MID remain intact and that Americans continue to receive this important benefit.”
House to House is distributed weekly by the Arkansas Realtors® Association.
