Interest Relief on Home Loans


Apart from interest on borrowings applied to acquire an interest in an employer company or partnership, relief is normally available only in respect of interest paid on a loan acquired and used for the purchase, repair or improvement of a sole or main residence. Relief is granted at the standard rate of tax.

Who can Claim?

An individual who pays interest on a loan used:

  1. to purchase, repair, develop or improve a qualifying residence or
  2. to pay off another loan used for that purpose.

Expenditure on furniture and removable fittings are not allowable (e.g. light fittings, curtains, drapes and carpets).

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Conditions to Qualify

The qualifying residence must be situated in the State, Northern Ireland or Great Britain and must be used as the sole or main residence of:

  • The claimant
  • The claimant's former or separated spouse
  • A Dependent Relative in respect of whom the claimant is being granted Dependent Relative Tax Credit and for whom the residence is provided free of rent or any other consideration.

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Sole or Main Residence

Means the residence which is your home for the greater part of the time. It does not have to be owned by you, e.g. your parents residence may also be your sole or main residence, if you normally reside there.

Residence includes:

  • House
  • Flat
  • Mobile Home provided it:
    • is immobilised
    • is on a permanent site
    • has electricity and other services supplied to it
    • is of a reasonable size to fulfill the requirements of use as a permanent residence.

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First Time Buyer

Means an individual who has not previously been entitled to relief in respect of interest paid on loans used for the purchase, repair, development or improvement of an individual's sole or main residence.

In the case of joint loans it is possible that one of the parties is a first time buyer and the other is not.

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Relief Due

2002 et seq - Tax Relief at Source applies to Secured Home Loans with certain limited exceptions.

Relief for Unsecured Loans is granted by review at the end of the tax year. See charts for maximum amounts.

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Additional Information

Examples Of Qualifying Loans

  • Extensions, purchase/construction of a garage, garden shed, greenhouse, swimming pool, tennis court
  • Construction of driveway, path
  • Conversions, painting and decorating
  • Installation of central heating
  • Rewiring, plumbing including bathroom suites etc.
  • Replacing windows and double glazing
  • Purchase and installation of bedroom and kitchen units which are affixed to and become part of the building
  • Purchase and installation of burglar/fire alarms
  • Cost of installation and treatment for damp, dry rot, woodworm etc.
  • Landscaping gardens (including garden walls)
  • Contributions to group water and sewerage schemes
  • Purchase of another person's part interest in the residence
  • Legal and other fees incidental to the purchase or development of the residence
  • Stamp duty on the purchase of a residence.

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