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Knights of Columbus Employees Could See Big Benefits from New $10,000 Auto Loan Interest Deduction: Here’s What to Know

'Knights of Columbus employees should view the new $10,000 auto loan interest deduction under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act as an opportunity to strategically align major purchases with broader tax planning goals.' – Patrick Ray, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

'Knights of Columbus employees can use the new $10,000 auto loan interest deduction as a timely incentive to coordinate vehicle financing decisions with their long-term financial planning objectives.' – Michael Corgiat, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

In this article, we will discuss:

How the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) creates a new $10,000 auto loan interest deduction for qualifying vehicles.
The eligibility rules, income phase-outs, and refinancing criteria for claiming the deduction.
Other tax changes in the legislation that may impact Knights of Columbus employees, including expanded deductions and fresh incentives.

Knights of Columbus employees financing a car in 2025 or later could benefit from tax savings due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The legislation allows anyone purchasing qualified vehicles between 2025 and 2028 to deduct up to $10,000 in auto loan interest as an above-the-line deduction.

Although the deduction brings meaningful advantages for buyers, not all loans, vehicles, or borrowers will qualify because of strict eligibility requirements.

Key Features of the Auto Loan Interest Deduction

- Deduction limit for loan interest is $10,000 per year.
- Vehicle’s final assembly must occur in the United States.
- Applies to personal-use vehicles under 14,000 pounds—including cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, minivans, and motorcycles.
- Income phase-outs: Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) over $200,000 for joint filers or $100,000 for singles.
- Refinances may be eligible if the original loan met all criteria.
- Excluded leases: Some commercial vehicles, fleet purchases, salvage vehicles, and auto leases do not qualify.

How Many Vehicles Qualify?

According to American Financial Services Association (AFSA) data, approximately 60% of new vehicles sold in the U.S. in the first half of 2025—roughly 10 million out of 16.3 million—were assembled domestically. ¹ Actual eligibility will vary depending on assembly location and trim levels. Buyers should check the Monroney sticker or U.S.-assembled vehicle databases for verification.

Potential Savings for Knights of Columbus Employees

While the deduction limit is $10,000, most borrowers are likely to save just a few hundred dollars annually. For instance, with a $41,926 auto loan over 72 months at a 7.2% APR, total interest is about $9,800—or around $1,630 per year. At an 18% marginal tax rate, that equals approximately $290 in yearly tax relief.

Refinancing Rules

According to the IRS, refinanced loans are generally eligible if the original purchase qualified under the program’s requirements. ²

How to Claim the Deduction

For tax year 2025, the IRS will provide detailed instructions. Taxpayers must include their vehicle identification number (VIN) on their return. Lenders are required to file information returns under IRC § 6050AA.

Other Highlights from the Tax Bill

SALT Deduction Expansion : Raises the cap from $10,000 to $40,000, phasing out between $500,000 and $600,000 MAGI for joint filers.
Extended Lower Tax Rates : Keeps the doubled standard deduction and reduced brackets beyond 2026.
Senior Bonus Deduction : Adds $6,000 for individuals (or $12,000 for married couples) for those age 65+ through January 1, 2029.
Tip and Overtime Deductions : Allows offsets of up to $12,500 (or $25,000 for joint filers) for overtime and up to $25,000 for reported tips.
Trump Accounts for Children : From 2025–2028, the government contributes $1,000 per newborn; parents may contribute up to $5,000 annually for home-buying, education, or job training.
Pass-Through Business Benefits : Expands the 20% Qualified Business Income deduction by raising thresholds to broaden eligibility for small business owners.

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Sources:

1. American Financial Services Organization. ' OBBB & Moving Metal .' 10 July 2025.

2. Internal Revenue Service. One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Tax Deductions for Working Americans and Seniors (FS-2025-03) . 14 July 2025, updated 25 July 2025. U.S. Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service.

Other Resources:

1. Taylor, Kelley R. “ New GOP Car Loan Tax Deduction: Which Vehicles and Buyers Qualify .” Kiplinger , 25 July 2025.

2. Schostag, Keith. “ The One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s Car Loan Interest Deduction .” America’s Credit Unions , 24 July 2025.

3. Lautz, Andrew. “ How Does the 2025 Tax Law Change the SALT Deduction? ” Bipartisan Policy Center , 9 June 2025.

4. Skowronski, Jeanine. “ The ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Might Include a Tax Break on Your Auto Loan—Here’s How to Find Out if You Qualify .” Investopedia , 4 Aug. 2025.

What are the factors that determine an employee's retirement benefits under the Christian Brothers Employee Retirement Plan, and how are these factors influenced by an employee's length of service and compensation? Understanding the nuances of these factors can help employees plan for their retirement more effectively. Additionally, how does the recent shift in tenure and wages in the industry affect the calculation of these retirement benefits for employees of the Christian Brothers organization?

Factors Determining Retirement Benefits: Under the Christian Brothers Employee Retirement Plan (CBERP), retirement benefits are determined by a combination of years of continuous service, credited past and future service, and compensation. The benefit formulas consider W-2 earnings and past service contributions if applicable. The length of service increases the number of credited years, leading to higher benefits, while higher compensation during service periods also boosts the overall calculation(Christian_Brothers_Empl…).

How does the Christian Brothers Employee Retirement Plan define "vesting" and what are the implications for employees regarding their retirement benefits as outlined in the plan? Furthermore, what strategies can employees implement to ensure they maximize their vesting and thus, their retirement fund contributions during their tenure with the Christian Brothers organization?

Vesting: Vesting refers to an employee's right to receive retirement benefits, and under CBERP, employees become vested after 4 years and 9 months of continuous service. Employees can always receive the return of their contributions plus interest, but to maximize vesting, they should maintain continuous employment for the full vesting period(Christian_Brothers_Empl…).

Can you elaborate on the "Golden Rule of 90" regarding early retirement and the criteria that must be met for employees of Christian Brothers to qualify for this benefit? How does meeting this qualification potentially affect an employee's retirement income stream and financial planning going forward?

Golden Rule of 90: The "Golden Rule of 90" allows employees to retire early without a reduction in benefits if their age and years of service sum to 90, provided they are at least 55 years old. Meeting this qualification offers employees a full retirement benefit without the reduction typically associated with early retirement(Christian_Brothers_Empl…).

What steps should Christian Brothers employees take if they become temporarily disabled and wish to initiate their retirement benefits? Additionally, what provisions does the Christian Brothers Employee Retirement Plan offer to ensure that the disability status does not adversely impact their overall retirement benefits?

Temporary Disability and Retirement Benefits: Employees who become temporarily disabled may initiate retirement benefits if they meet Social Security’s disability requirements. If qualified before July 1, 2018, employees continue to accrue benefits until normal retirement without employer contributions. Starting benefits early due to disability results in a cessation of future accruals(Christian_Brothers_Empl…).

In the context of re-employment after retirement, what specific conditions must Christian Brothers employees be aware of under the retirement plan regarding their eligibility for benefits? Furthermore, how can returning to work impact their benefits and what should they consider when making this decision?

Re-employment After Retirement: Employees who return to work for a participating employer after retirement must be cautious, as working more than the required hours will suspend their retirement benefits. This could reduce their income stream and interrupt the collection of benefits(Christian_Brothers_Empl…).

What methods does the Christian Brothers Employee Retirement Plan outline for employees to designate beneficiaries for their retirement benefits, and how do those designations change upon events like marriage or divorce? Understanding these provisions is crucial for employees to ensure their final wishes regarding benefits are honored.

Beneficiary Designations: CBERP allows employees to designate beneficiaries for their retirement benefits. These designations can be updated after major life events such as marriage or divorce. Employees should ensure that their designations reflect current relationships to ensure that their wishes are honored(Christian_Brothers_Empl…).

How can employees of Christian Brothers effectively contact the benefits department for further clarification on their retirement benefits? What information should they prepare to facilitate a productive conversation regarding the specifics of their retirement plan?

Contacting the Benefits Department: Christian Brothers employees can contact the Benefits Department at 800-807-0700 or via email at rpscustomerservice@cbservices.org. Employees should prepare personal and employment details, along with specific questions about their plan, to facilitate a productive conversation(Christian_Brothers_Empl…).

What are the available forms of benefit distribution upon retirement for employees in the Christian Brothers organization, and how does the choice between these options affect overall retirement security? Employees must weigh their options carefully to ensure they select a distribution method aligned with their financial needs.

Benefit Distribution Forms: CBERP offers several forms of benefit distribution, including life-only options and joint and survivor annuities. The choice between these options significantly affects retirement security. For example, choosing a joint and survivor annuity reduces the primary benefit but provides ongoing income for a spouse(Christian_Brothers_Empl…).

How does the Christian Brothers Employee Retirement Plan address potential changes to the plan and the rights of employees in such instances? Understanding the procedures in place for plan amendments is vital for employees to stay informed about their benefits and rights.

Plan Amendments: CBERP includes provisions for amending the plan. Employees' rights to accrued benefits are protected, meaning that any modifications will not affect benefits that have already been earned. Understanding these protections can help employees stay informed about changes(Christian_Brothers_Empl…).

Can you explain the relationship between Social Security benefits and the retirement benefits provided through the Christian Brothers Employee Retirement Plan? Specifically, how will employeesâ€™ Social Security benefits interact with their retirement funds, and what should they consider when planning for a holistic retirement income strategy?

Interaction with Social Security: CBERP retirement benefits do not reduce or integrate with Social Security benefits. Employees need to consider both sources of income separately when planning their overall retirement strategy(Christian_Brothers_Empl…).