Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the AMT Qualified Housing Interest Deduction?
Taxpayers paying mortgage interest on a primary or secondary residence that meets the definition of qualified housing interest.
How does the AMT Qualified Housing Interest Deduction work?
Allows a deduction for interest paid on debt used to acquire, construct, or substantially improve a principal residence or qualified dwelling for AMT purposes.
What law authorizes the AMT Qualified Housing Interest Deduction?
The AMT Qualified Housing Interest Deduction is authorized under IRC §56 of the Internal Revenue Code (Title 26, United States Code).
Statutory Text — IRC §56
Source: Internal Revenue Code, Title 26, United States Code
§ 56. Adjustments in computing alternative minimum taxable income(a) Adjustments applicable to all taxpayersIn determining the amount of the alternative minimum taxable income for any taxable year the following treatment shall apply (in lieu of the treatment applicable for purposes of computing the regular tax):(1) Depreciation(A) In general(i) Property other than certain personal propertyExcept as provided in clause (ii), the depreciation deduction allowable under section 167 with respect to any tangible property placed in service after December 31, 1986, shall be determined under the alternative system of section 168(g). In the case of property placed in service after December 31, 1998, the preceding sentence shall not apply but clause (ii) shall continue to apply.
(ii) 150-percent declining balance method for certain propertyThe method of depreciation used shall be—(I) the 150 percent declining balance method,
(II) switching to the straight line method for the 1st taxable year for which using the straight line method with respect to the adjusted basis as of the beginning of the year will yield a higher allowance.
The preceding sentence shall not apply to any section 1250 property (as defined in section 1250(c)) (and the straight line method shall be used for such section 1250 property) or to any other property if the depreciation deduction determined under section 168 with respect to such other property for purposes of the regular tax is determined by using the straight line method.
(B) Exception for certain propertyThis paragraph shall not apply to property described in paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4) of section 168(f), or in section 168(e)(3)(C)(iv).
(C) Coordination with transitional rules(i) In generalThis paragraph shall not apply to property placed in service after December 31, 1986, to which the amendments made by section 201 of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 do not apply by reason of section 203, 204, or 251(d) of such Act.
(ii) Treatment of certain property placed in service before 1987This paragraph shall apply to any property to which the amendments made by section 201 of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 apply by reason of an election under section 203(a)(1)(B) of such Act without regard to the requirement of subparagraph (A) that the property be placed in service after December 31, 1986.
(D) Normalization rulesWith respect to public utility property described in section 168(i)(10), the Secretary shall prescribe the requirements of a normalization method of accounting for this section.
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