'The Southern Company 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.

'The Southern Company 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:

1. How the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) creates a new $10,000 auto loan interest deduction for qualifying vehicles.

2. The eligibility rules, income phase-outs, and refinancing criteria for claiming the deduction.

3. Other tax changes in the legislation that may impact The Southern Company employees, including expanded deductions and fresh incentives.

The Southern Company employees financing a car in or later could benefit from tax savings due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The legislation allows anyone purchasing qualified vehicles between 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 —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 The Southern Company 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 the current tax year 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 –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.

The advantages of a Roth IRA multiply when you also leverage the full benefit package The Southern Company provides. The Southern Company maintains an active defined benefit pension plan, meaning eligible employees continue to accrue benefits based on years of service and compensation. If you are eligible for a lump sum payout, IRS Section 417(e) segment rates determine how the future annuity stream converts to a present-value payment - rising rates compress the lump sum, so monitoring the plan's stability period and lookback month is critical before you lock in your election date. The choice between a single-life annuity, a joint-and-survivor option, or a lump sum (where available) is generally irrevocable once made, and timing that decision relative to interest rate conditions can meaningfully affect your retirement income picture.

For healthcare planning purposes, The Southern Company provides continued medical coverage to eligible retirees, which can bridge the gap between retirement and Medicare eligibility at age 65 or serve as a supplement to Medicare thereafter. Confirming the service and age requirements for retiree coverage, and understanding your premium contribution, is an important step in building an accurate healthcare cost projection. Coordinating The Southern Company's retiree coverage with Medicare Part B and Part D enrollment timing can also reduce duplication and avoid late-enrollment penalties. Connecting your specific The Southern Company benefits situation to a comprehensive retirement income plan - and understanding how each component interacts - gives you the most complete picture of what retirement will look like.

Sources:

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

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

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

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

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. .