Note: As of July 2023, AFR rates have increased from less than 1% when this article was posted to now 3-4%. With the nature of changing prescribed rates, it's an even better reason to consult with a trusted advisor - such as those at 415 Group - to ensure compliance and the most optimal tax return results.
On the surface, providing a loan to a friend or family member may seem like a fairly straightforward process. However, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has several rules and regulations that must be followed to ensure compliance. 415 Group Senior Manager Kristine Giannetti, CPA, sheds some light on lending best practices and potential family loan interest rates.
Today's relatively low-interest-rate environment makes it easy to loan money to family members on favorable terms with full IRS approval. Here's a rundown of what the law covers and why now might be a good time to set up loans.
IRS Family Loan Rules
Nothing in the tax law prevents you from making loans to family members (or unrelated people for that matter). However, unless you charge what the IRS considers an "adequate" interest rate, the so-called below-market loan rules come into play.
For instance, let's say you loan $50,000 interest-free to your daughter so she can buy her first home. Under the below-market loan rules, this can have unexpected income tax consequences for both you and your daughter, as well as gift tax consequences for you. Who needs the hassle?
As an alternative, so you don't have to worry about any tricky tax rules biting you while still satisfying the IRS, family loan lenders can charge an interest rate equal to the "applicable federal rate" (AFR). As the lender, you simply report as taxable income the interest you receive. On the other side of the deal, the borrower may be able to deduct the interest expense on his or her personal return, depending on how the loan proceeds are used.
Family Loan Interest Rates
Even better, interest rates these days are reasonable. The AFRs for October 2020:
- 0.14% for "short-term" loans of three years or less.
- 0.38% for "mid-term" loans of more than three years but no more than nine years.
- 1.12% for "long-term" loans more than nine years.
AFRs are updated each month in response to ever-changing bond market conditions. So rates may not stay this low indefinitely.
For example, if you decide to lend $50,000 to your daughter, you could charge the mid-term AFR (only 0.38% in October 2020) for a 108-month loan (nine years). She can pay that same low rate for the entire loan term with the government's blessing. Say you want to make it a 15-year loan instead. No problem. Just charge a rate equal to the long-term AFR (1.12% for October 2020). Your daughter can pay that same low rate for the entire 15-year loan term.
However, these rules apply to term loans. When you make a demand loan, which can be called in anytime, the AFR isn't fixed in the month you make the deal. Instead, you must charge a floating AFR, based on fluctuating short-term AFRs. So if you believe rates are headed higher in the future, it's best to set up a term loan (one with a specific repayment date or specific installment repayment dates). That locks in today's low AFR for the entire duration of the loan.
With this plan, everybody should be happy. You'll be charging an interest rate the IRS considers adequate. The borrower should be pleased with the low rate. And you're glad to give the borrower some financial assistance without creating any tax complications.
Another plus: Under a favorable tax law loophole, you are completely exempt from the below-market loan rules if the sum total of all loans between you and the borrower adds up to $10,000 or less. (This includes all outstanding loans to that person, whether you charge adequate interest or not.) Thanks to this loophole, interest-free loans of $10,000 or less generally don't cause any tax difficulties for either you or the borrower.
If you're unsure about the impact of your loan and related interest rates, get in touch with a trusted advisor from local accounting firms in Canton, Ohio. At 415 Group, we can discuss loaning money to family and friends. Contact us today.
Individuals thinking about loaning their family members, or even friends for that matter, money need to consider the tax implications first. The IRS mandates that lenders charge their borrowers a minimum interest rate. This family loan interest rate is known as the ‘applicable federal rate,’ or AFR for short. However, if you decide to charge a family member less than this rate, you open yourself up to complications such as the gift tax, which may work against the tax strategies you’ve already set in place.
Many people mistakenly think they are helping out their family members by avoiding loan interest altogether. But truth be told, these AFRs are very reasonable, making the cost of compliance relatively low. Plus, when you create an IRS-approved loan, your borrower may be able to deduct the interest expense on their personal tax return.
With today’s favorable AFRs, it’s a good time to review any undocumented or below-market loans you currently have or may be considering to ensure they follow IRS family loan rules. While the specific tax rules that govern these situations can be quite complex, we have the expertise and experience to help you structure your loans to make sure you and your borrowers are reaping the greatest tax benefits.