[jaggederest]

Ironically, much of the tax advantage of owning vs renting is embodied in the mortgage interest tax deduction. If there were no interest, obviously it would be a good deal, but would not have the additional benefit of tax avoidance that it does at present.

[dlp211]

Much of the tax avoidance from primary residence property has been removed from the tax code already due to the TCJA. Not all of it, but most of it. It also makes no sense to have a mortgage for the tax break. Rentals have depreciation and the interest remains deductible as an expense on them there, so that isn't really an issue.

[aksss]

Regarding tax avoidance from primary residence, what specifically? I can still deduct mortgage interest. Are you talking about not itemizing some home ownership expenses (like what?) because standard deduction increase? Just wondering what I’m missing..

[mobilefriendly]

You can't deduct it with the new larger standard personal deduction, only if you itemize. The Trump tax bill was a reform made the mortgage deduction moot for about 20 million taxpayers.