If you are thinking of moving up to a larger boat to expand your cruising range or ability to bring friends and family on board, there is another benefit to consider: Doing so just might qualify you for a federal tax deduction.
The United States tax code allows taxpayers to deduct mortgage interest paid during the tax year on up to two qualified residences, including the taxpayer’s principal residence and one other residence used for personal purposes, such as a weekend cottage or vacation home.
What many boaters don’t realize is that if your boat has a place for you to sleep on board (a berth), cooking facilities (a galley) and a toilet (a head), it qualifies as a second residence. And if you financed the purchase of the boat, you may be able to deduct some or all the interest you pay on your boat loan annually from your federal taxes.
This article does not provide professional tax advice. Please consult a licensed tax professional to find out what deductions you might qualify for prior to filing your taxes.
Center-Consoles as Second Homes
While the owners of express cruisers and other boats with the facilities to support an overnight stay have always been able to take advantage of the second-home tax deduction, in the past, that wasn’t an option for many center-console fishing boat owners. Until recently, most center-consoles were purpose-built for fishing and did not come equipped with the required amenities to qualify for the deduction. But now there is a growing trend for boatbuilders to design family-friendly center-console models that are equally suited to hosting tournament-level angling adventures, weekend cruises and entertaining friends at the dock.
Today, it’s relatively easy to find a center-console boat, even in the low-30-foot range, with a console large enough to hold a V-berth and a plumbed marine head. The “galley” might be a microwave oven, but more and more boats are being offered with a built-in “summer kitchen” in the cockpit that incorporates a barbecue grill and sink. These versatile boats are equipped with everything you need to satisfy the requirements for the second-home tax deduction and more, including USB ports, coffeemakers, TVs and premium stereo systems. To meet the power demands of all this equipment, many center-consoles are now offered with an inverter that converts the DC power from a boat’s batteries into the AC power required by many of these onboard devices.
Consult an Accountant
To claim a second-home tax deduction on your federal taxes for your boat, you will need to fill out and file Schedule A (Form 1040), Itemized Deductions. It’s important to note, however, that there are limits on the total amount of home mortgage (or boat loan) interest you can deduct. On residences (and boats qualifying as a second residence) purchased before December 16, 2017, taxpayers could deduct mortgage interest on up to $1 million in debt, or $500,000 if married and filing separately. After that date, the rules changed and the debt limit went down to the first $750,000, or $375,000 if married filing separately. The deduction primarily applies to boats used for personal use only; if you charter it out part of the time, the rules are more complicated. We highly recommend consulting an accountant or tax attorney to help you navigate the intricacies of the U.S. tax code prior to filing.
Moving up to a larger boat with the accommodations and amenities that will allow you to head off on weekend or even weeklong adventures will add a whole new level to your boating experience. It’s an even bigger bonus if you can save some money in tax deductions along the way!