The Benefits of the Mortgage Interest and Property Tax Deductions

The benefits of itemized deductions for mortgage interest and property taxes vary by income and demographic characteristics. The two deductions increase after-tax income most for high-income families, particularly those with children, while low-income households hardly benefit at all. On average, homeowners in the highest quintile see a 1.4 percent rise in after-tax income, compared with just a 0.3 percent increase for those in the middle quintile and virtually no gain for those in the bottom two quintiles. Within each income quintile, families with children experience the largest income boost, while elderly households benefit the least.