Tax Benefit

First-time Homebuyer? Here Is How You Can Avail Tax Benefits

First-time Homebuyer? Here’s How You Can Avail Tax Benefits

Purchasing a home is one of the most significant financial investments you’ll make in your lifetime. While the costs can seem overwhelming, the good news is that many tax benefits are available to first-time homebuyers. Unfortunately, many individuals are unaware of these potential savings when buying their first home. If you’re planning to buy your own property, it’s a good idea to consult with a financial advisor or accountant to explore the tax benefits available to you.

Governments around the world, including the Philippines, have introduced schemes and policies aimed at making homeownership more affordable. These schemes primarily target first-time homebuyers, offering incentives such as tax deductions on mortgage interest. In the Philippines, Senate Bill No. 2148, introduced by Senator Sonny Angara, seeks to expand these benefits by offering additional tax relief for qualified first-time homebuyers through mortgage interest deductions.

Understanding Senate Bill No. 2148

The bill’s primary focus is to ease the financial burden for Filipinos looking to purchase their first home. As outlined in the bill’s explanatory note, owning a home is not just a financial achievement but also provides security and stability. However, for many Filipino households, the cost of buying a home remains out of reach, and renting becomes their only option.

According to a study by the National Economic and Development Authority’s Statistical Research and Training Center, 1.5 million out of 21.5 million Filipino households are renters. This is often not a matter of preference but of necessity due to the financial barriers associated with purchasing a home.

While developers and banks have introduced more affordable housing options and easy payment schemes, high-interest rates continue to deter many potential buyers. In response, Senator Angara’s proposed bill seeks to alleviate some of these financial challenges by offering tax breaks to first-time homebuyers.

How Will the Bill Benefit Filipinos?

One of the most promising features of Senate Bill No. 2148 is the Home Mortgage Interest Relief, which offers tax breaks to individuals purchasing their first family home. The aim of this bill is to make homeownership more accessible to Filipino families by allowing them to deduct any interest paid on a home loan from their gross income during a taxable year.

Once passed into law, the bill will make the following key benefits available to eligible first-time homebuyers:

1. Mortgage Interest Deduction: Homebuyers will be able to deduct the interest they pay on a loan for the construction or purchase of their family home from their taxable income. This will reduce their overall tax burden, allowing them to save money.

2. Principal-only Payments: With this bill in place, homebuyers will be able to focus on paying off the principal amount of their loan, as interest payments will no longer be a concern. This effectively reduces the long-term cost of homeownership.

3. Encouraging Affordable Financing: The bill aims to encourage more lenders to offer affordable financing to first-time homebuyers. By reducing interest rates and offering tax relief, the government hopes to stimulate more people to purchase homes, ultimately addressing the country’s housing shortage.

Currently, the housing deficit in the Philippines is estimated at 3.9 million units, and this bill is a step toward reducing that number by making homeownership more accessible for Filipinos.

Eligibility for Tax Benefits

However, not all loans will be covered under the law once it is enacted. To qualify for the benefits proposed by Senate Bill No. 2148, the following conditions must be met:

• The loan must be obtained from reputable Philippine banks, the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG), or duly approved cooperatives.
• The loan must be used solely for the construction or purchase of a family home.
• The loan amount must not exceed Php 2.5 million.

Why First-time Homebuyers Should Take Advantage of Tax Benefits

As a first-time homebuyer, these tax benefits provide a valuable opportunity to reduce the financial burden of purchasing a home. Tax breaks, like the ones outlined in the proposed bill, are designed to make homeownership more affordable and accessible, particularly for those in the most need of shelter. By reducing your taxable income through mortgage interest deductions, you can lower your overall costs, giving you more financial freedom to invest in other areas of your life.

Next Steps

To fully benefit from these tax incentives, it’s essential to stay informed and consult with a financial advisor or tax professional who can help you navigate the process. They can provide advice on how to structure your home purchase in a way that maximizes your tax savings.

Additionally, you should keep an eye on legislative developments regarding Senate Bill No. 2148 to ensure you’re fully aware of your eligibility for future tax breaks. Taking the time to understand these benefits now can save you significant amounts in the long run, making your home purchase more affordable and less financially stressful.

By taking advantage of the tax benefits and relief schemes offered by the government, you can make your dream of owning a home more achievable. With thoughtful planning and professional guidance, first-time homebuyers in the Philippines can not only own a home but do so with substantial tax savings.