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Does the Subaru Forester qualify for the car loan interest deduction?
It depends on the specific vehicle. The Subaru Forester is built in Lafayette, Indiana, USA and also in Gunma, Japan. Check your VIN: it starts with 1, 4, or 5 if it was built in the United States.
Depends on the plant. Check your VIN
Check your exact vehicle
Plants change by trim and model year. Your VIN settles it in one step.
Where the Subaru Forester is built
| Plant | Country | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| Gunma | Japan | 2025-2026 |
| Lafayette, Indiana | USA | 2025-2026 |
Confirmed by AALA: MY2025 Japan, MY2026 USA (Lafayette). A 2026 Forester passes; a 2025 does not.
Source: NHTSA AALA Part 583 reports, MY2025 and MY2026. Checked 2026-09-08. The AALA reports list the final assembly country, which is the test the IRS applies; plant cities come from manufacturer disclosures.
Other rules you still need to meet
Assembly is only one test. The IRS also requires all of the following.
- Up to $10,000 a year of interest on a qualifying car loan, for tax years 2025 through 2028.
- You get it whether or not you itemize. It sits on Form 1040, Schedule 1-A, Part IV, "No Tax on Car Loan Interest."
- Income limit: the deduction shrinks by $200 for every $1,000 (or part of one) of modified adjusted gross income above $100,000 single or $200,000 married filing jointly. The cut comes off your actual interest, not off the $10,000 cap, so a small loan can hit $0 well before $150,000.
- The vehicle: a car, minivan, van, SUV, pickup, or motorcycle, under 14,000 lb, bought new (you are the first owner), and finally assembled in the United States. Brand does not matter; a Honda from Ohio qualifies and a Ford from Mexico does not.
- The loan: started after December 31, 2024, secured by a first lien on the vehicle, from a lender that is not a relative or a business you own. Personal use only. Leases don't count. Refinancing a qualifying loan generally keeps it qualifying.
- Paperwork: you must enter the VIN on your return. Lenders send Form 1098-VLI if you paid $600 or more in interest.
Similar compact SUV vehicles
- Toyota RAV4 Depends on the plant. Check your VIN
- Honda CR-V Depends on the plant. Check your VIN
- Ford Bronco Sport Not US-assembled
- Chevrolet Equinox Not US-assembled
- Jeep Compass Not US-assembled
- Nissan Rogue Depends on the plant. Check your VIN