Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Gives Tax Breaks to Car Buyers — But Who Really Wins?
By Lauren Fix
The auto industry just got a political jolt from Capitol Hill—and this time, it’s not more mandates or subsidies. It’s relief, at least for some. Buried inside the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law on July 4th, 2025, is a new tax deduction that could help American car buyers save thousands in interest. But who really benefits—and who gets left behind?
Let’s break it down.
The new law allows buyers to deduct up to $10,000 in interest on auto loans for vehicles purchased between 2025 and 2028. That sounds great—especially in an era of soaring car prices and 7–9% loan rates. But this is Washington. There are strings attached.
To qualify, your vehicle must be:
New (not used),
Under 14,000 pounds, and
Assembled in the United States.
In other words, this isn’t a universal benefit—it’s a targeted incentive aimed at steering consumers toward U.S.-assembled cars, trucks, vans, motorcycles, and SUVs. That aligns with the broader goals of the OBBBA: rebuild domestic manufacturing, reward work, and reshape consumer behavior.
And the IRS will be keeping tabs. Buyers must list their vehicle’s VIN on their tax return to claim the deduction. The IRS is expected to publish a list of eligible models, similar to how EV tax credits were handled.
Good for Detroit, Good for Jobs
From a manufacturing standpoint, this is a smart move. It encourages consumers to buy vehicles built on U.S. soil and supports the jobs behind them. Companies like Ford, GM, Tesla, Honda, and Toyota—who all operate U.S. assembly plants—stand to benefit most. It may even prompt more foreign automakers to expand U.S. operations to qualify their vehicles.
That’s a win for American workers.
The “final assembly” requirement—meaning where the vehicle is physically completed—uses the same logic as the American Automobile Labeling Act, which requires transparency on where a vehicle is built. Expect dealers to start highlighting which models qualify.
But that’s where the consensus ends.
Who Really Saves? Follow the Money
On paper, up to $10,000 in interest deductions sounds massive. But the actual benefit depends on how much you borrow and your income level.
According to IRS rules, the deduction phases out for higher earners:
Singles earning over $100,000, and
Joint filers earning over $200,000,
see the deduction reduced by $200 for every $1,000 above those thresholds.
Even more critically, the average car loan in 2025 sits around $43,000. With current interest rates, the average deduction will translate into $400 to $600 in annual tax savings for most buyers—modest relief, not a game-changer.
Yes, it helps middle-class Americans. But it primarily benefits those in the 22% to 24% tax brackets who finance new, U.S.-assembled vehicles. In other words, not the working families who buy used cars or budget imports. And that's where this plan hits its limits.
Used Cars Left Out — So Are Budget Buyers
Here’s the catch: used vehicles don’t qualify. That’s a huge exclusion. In 2024, 80% of vehicles under $30,000 were imported or sold used. That’s what many working-class families can afford—and they’re left with nothing under this bill.
So while the policy supports domestic manufacturing, it also widens the affordability gap. Lower-income Americans, who disproportionately rely on used or imported models, are excluded entirely from this deduction.
If you’re buying a gently used Toyota Corolla or a 3-year-old Hyundai, you’re out of luck. If you’re stretching your budget to buy a new Ford Explorer built in Chicago, the deduction is yours.
A Strategic Win for Trump-Era Policy
This provision also serves a broader strategic purpose: it complements the Trump administration’s 25% tariffs on imported cars and parts, designed to push both production and consumption back onto American soil. Those tariffs have already increased the price of imported vehicles by $2,000 to $5,000 in some segments.
This deduction won’t completely cancel out those tariffs—but it softens the blow for buyers who "buy American." That’s a politically savvy tradeoff.
And unlike previous policies that poured subsidies into electric vehicles and foreign supply chains, this law picks a different winner: U.S.-assembled gas-powered vehicles. In fact, the OBBBA eliminates EV tax credits entirely.
That’s a bold shift—and one likely to realign consumer preferences in the years ahead.
What About Tesla?
Ironically, Tesla stands to benefit despite the EV credit rollback. With major U.S. production in California, Texas, and Nevada, Tesla’s vehicles still qualify for the new deduction. That gives the company a competitive edge over EV rivals like Hyundai, Kia, and Volkswagen, which rely more heavily on overseas production.
In essence, OBBBA removes the green subsidies, but rewards companies that build here—even if they’re making electric vehicles. That’s good news for Tesla, less so for foreign EV makers.
Will This Drive Sales? Not Likely
Despite the attention this deduction is getting, it’s unlikely to move the sales needle in a major way. The average buyer might save a few hundred dollars a year, but that may not be enough to sway a purchasing decision in a market shaped more by tariffs, inflation, and interest rates than tax codes.
Consumers still face high sticker prices, limited inventory, and rising loan payments. A modest deduction won’t erase those headwinds.
Final Take: A Smart Policy with Clear Limits
The car loan interest deduction in the Big Beautiful Bill is a strategic, targeted win for domestic automakers and assembly workers. It rewards American manufacturing, encourages consumers to “buy American,” and aligns with broader trade and industrial policy goals.
But it doesn’t solve affordability, and it leaves behind the millions of Americans who buy used or imported vehicles. It’s a clever incentive—not a transformative one.
Like much of the OBBBA, this provision is designed to reshape the market by rewarding specific behaviors: build in America, buy new, and stay within certain income thresholds.
It’s a welcome change from policies that favored green tech and global supply chains. But if lawmakers want to deliver real relief for everyday drivers, they’ll need to address the root problems of rising car costs, high interest rates, and a regulatory landscape that still favors complexity over clarity.
Until then, the road to real reform remains under construction.
You can support me by buying me a cup of coffee. Thanks for subscribing and your support! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/laurenfix
Looking for more automotive news?
https://www.CarCoachReports.com
Total Car Score Podcast ► https://www.revolverpodcasts.com/shows/total-car-score/
Lauren Fix is an automotive expert and journalist covering industry trends, policy changes, and their impact on drivers nationwide. Follow her on X
@LaurenFix for the latest car news and insights.
Share this post