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Date:   Sat, 26 Jan 2008
From:   Arthur

Mr. Gray,

I am in the Air Force and am stationed in California. I am trying to swap assignments with someone at a base in North Carolina. Since it is a swap, the Air Force won’t pay for me to move. I want to move so I can buy a home at a lower price than in California. Would my moving expenses be deductible?

Also, is mortgage interest 100% deductible? Are appliances bought for the home deductible? This will be my primary residence.

Thank you for your time.

P.S. Currently fighting the war in Iraq and will make my way back to CA in April.

Answer

Date:   31 Jan 2008

Hello Arthur,

Since you are moving for a personal reason and not for an employment-related reason, the moving expenses would be nondeductible.

Mortgage interest for a mortgage secured by a principal residence and for the purpose of purchasing the residence are generally deductible, provided the loan doesn’t exceed $1 million. Not all mortgage interest is deductible.

Appliances bought for the home aren’t deductible.

Good luck!
Mike Gray

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