I paid interest on my student loans this year, can I claim these as an expense?

Yes, you can deduct the interest paid on student loans for the year off of your taxable income.

You may be eligible to claim an amount for the interest paid on your loan in 2011 for post-secondary education if you received it under:

• the Canada Student Loans Act;
• the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act; or
• a similar provincial or territorial government laws.

The interest can be claimed by you or someone related to you. It can only be claimed for an amount not previously claimed.

If you have no tax payable for the year the interest is paid, it is to your advantage not to claim it on your tax return. You can carry the interest forward and apply it on your return for any of the next five years.

You cannot claim interest paid in respect of a judgment obtained after you failed to pay back a student loan.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ALLAN MADAN

CA.CPA.CGA

Allan Madan is a CPA, CA and the founder of Madan Chartered Accountant Professional Corporation. Allan provides valuable tax planning, accounting and income tax preparation services in the Greater Toronto Area.

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