Oct
19
2023
How Many Companies IPO Per Year? 2021 Trends

How Many Companies IPO Per Year? 2023 Trends

By | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing | Comments Off on How Many Companies IPO Per Year? 2023 Trends

An initial public offering, or IPO, represents the first time a company makes its shares available for trade on a public stock exchange. The number of IPOs per year varies, depending on market conditions and the ease with which companies can raise capital via other methods.

Private companies can use IPOs to raise capital and fuel future growth, and hundreds of companies go public most years, presenting an opportunity for interested investors.

IPO statistics can offer some perspective on how frequently companies decide to go public and which sectors tend to see the most significant launches.

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Number of IPOs by Year

A look at IPO history shows that the number of initial public offerings fluctuates significantly by year and decade. Since 2000, there have been some 6,013 IPOs. Here’s a look at IPO filings by year for that time frame:

Year

 Number of IPOs
2000 397
2001 141
2002 183
2003 148
2004 314
2005 286
2006 220
2007 268
2008 62
2009 79
2010 190
2011 171
2012 157
2013 251
2014 304
2015 206
2016 133
2017 217
2018 255
2019 232
2020 480
2021 1,035
2022 181
2023* 79

*As of June 30, 2023.

The number of IPOs in any given year tend to follow movements in the economic cycle. In 2008, for example, there were just 62 IPOs as the economy and stock market were in the midst of a historic downturn. IPO activity didn’t pick up the pace again until 2010, once the Great Recession had ended.


💡 Quick Tip: Access to IPO shares before they trade on public exchanges has usually been available only to large institutional investors. That’s changing now, and some brokerages offer pre-listing IPO investing to qualified investors.

Previous Year IPOs

Companies were more likely to go public in the 1980s and 1990s than in recent years. Between 1980 and 2000, an average of 311 firms went public each year.

IPO activity spiked in the mid-90s as entrepreneurs sought to join the growing dot-com bubble.

Meanwhile, an average of 187 firms went public annually between 2001 and 2011. In recent years, larger, more established companies are more likely to go public than smaller private firms.

However, a record number of companies — 1,035 — went public in 2021. Some analysts point to loose monetary policy and a booming stock market as reasons so many companies went public during the year.

Additionally, one of the factors driving IPOs during 2020 and 2021 was an increase in IPOs for special-purpose acquisition corporations (SPACs). SPACs are essentially holding companies that go public with the sole purpose of acquiring another company.

Recommended: What Is an IPO Pop?

Overview of IPOs in 2022 – 2023

Following the boom in IPOs in 2021, the number of companies that went public during 2022 and 2023 dramatically decreased, due to several factors, including tight monetary policy to combat inflation, and a dramatic decline in the stock market.

As of June 30, 2023, there have been only 79 U.S. market IPOs so far — a 37% drop compared with the number of IPOs in 2022 by this time. There were 125 IPOs by June 30, 2022.

Of the 79 that debuted this year, about 46.8% — 37 companies — showed negative returns as of June 30, 2023, and 42 showed positive returns (bearing in mind that 11 companies IPO’d in June, and their prices may fluctuate in the coming quarters).

That said, the IPO proceeds in Q1 of 2022 similar to Q1 of 2023: $2.5 billion and $2.4 billion respectively. But company valuations were higher in 2022, and the 24 IPOs in Q1 generated almost as much in proceeds that year as the 33 IPOs in Q1 of 2023.

Evaluating the performance of stocks after a company goes public can give you an idea of how successful IPOs tend to be overall. However, it’s important to remember that it’s impossible to predict whether a stock will boom or bust in the months and years after it starts trading.

IPO stocks are considered highly volatile, high-risk investments, and while some companies may present an opportunity for growth, there are no guarantees. Like investing in any other type of stock, it’s essential for investors to do their due diligence.


💡 Quick Tip: Look for an online brokerage with low trading commissions as well as no account minimum. Higher fees can cut into investment returns over time.

The Takeaway

Looking at IPO statistics and IPOs by year can help you track trends and understand just how often companies go public, and why some years have more IPOs than others.

While the low interest rates and rising stock market of 2021 helped create a record year for 1,035 new companies, the climate now has changed: rates are higher, there’s more market volatility, and the slowing number of IPOs reflects that.

If you’re interested in adding IPOs to your portfolio, it’s also important to know which sectors tend to have the most and least IPO activity.

Whether you’re curious about exploring IPOs, or interested in traditional stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), you can get started by opening an account on the SoFi Invest® brokerage platform. On SoFi Invest, eligible SoFi members have the opportunity to trade IPO shares, and there are no account minimums for those with an Active Investing account. As with any investment, it's wise to consider your overall portfolio goals in order to assess whether IPO investing is right for you, given the risks of volatility and loss.

Invest with as little as $5 with a SoFi Active Investing account.

Photo credit: iStock/Inside Creative House

SoFi Invest®
INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE
SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below: Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.

Investing in an Initial Public Offering (IPO) involves substantial risk, including the risk of loss. Further, there are a variety of risk factors to consider when investing in an IPO, including but not limited to, unproven management, significant debt, and lack of operating history. For a comprehensive discussion of these risks please refer to SoFi Securities’ IPO Risk Disclosure Statement. IPOs offered through SoFi Securities are not a recommendation and investors should carefully read the offering prospectus to determine whether an offering is consistent with their investment objectives, risk tolerance, and financial situation.

New offerings generally have high demand and there are a limited number of shares available for distribution to participants. Many customers may not be allocated shares and share allocations may be significantly smaller than the shares requested in the customer’s initial offer (Indication of Interest). For SoFi’s allocation procedures please refer to IPO Allocation Procedures.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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Oct
19
2023

How Are IPO Prices Set?

By | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing | Comments Off on How Are IPO Prices Set?

Before listing a stock for sale on a public exchange, companies undergo a rigorous process of preparation and compliance — which includes a suggested starting price for the shares they plan to sell in their initial public offering (IPO).

This price then creates an IPO valuation for the company.

Companies and their bankers use a variety of factors and steps to determine the IPO price. Here’s a closer look at the IPO valuation process.

What Is IPO Price?

An IPO price is the price at which a company’s stock is sold to accredited and institutional investors right before the stock trades on a public exchange. The purpose of the public offering price is to attract investors to buy the shares.

IPO stocks are considered high-risk investments, and while some companies may present an opportunity for growth, there are no guarantees. Like investing in any other type of stock, it’s essential for investors to do their due diligence.

The investment banks that underwrite a company’s public offering set the IPO price, using several variables including an analysis of the company’s growth potential, a comparison to related firms, and a determination of market demand conditions.

💡 Quick Tip: Keen to invest in an initial public offering, or IPO? Be sure to check with your brokerage about what’s required. Typically IPO stock is available only to eligible investors.

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Initial Public Offerings 101

When privately owned companies, such as unicorn companies, begin to sell shares of stock to the public, they hold an initial public offering, or IPO. Before an IPO, companies are usually owned by the founders, employees, and early investors, such as venture capital firms and angel investors. The process of selling shares to investors is called going public. Typically the initial offering is limited, and there are a number of people eligible for those shares first.

For this reason, it can be difficult for individual investors to buy IPO stock when it’s first issued. In most cases, individuals can trade IPO shares on the secondary market through their brokerage. In some cases, a brokerage may set certain requirements in order for individual investors to buy shares.

An IPO can help a company raise significant capital. It can also be a source of publicity. However, the IPO process is also time-consuming and expensive. Once a company has gone public, it faces new challenges such as regulatory scrutiny and an increased need to please shareholders.

Recommended: What Is an IPO and How Does it Work?

Why Do Companies Go Public?

The main reason companies choose to go public is to raise money. Holding an IPO can create significant value for a company and its management. In some cases, IPOs raise millions and even billions of dollars for the company, but some companies also face losses after an IPO.

Bringing in public investment benefits the business, but it also benefits early investors. These initial investors, who have invested time and money in a company, can sell their shares following an IPO, unlocking shareholder value.

An IPO can also benefit employees of the company. That’s because when an individual joins a company, sometimes they are granted employee stock options. Companies will often give early employees the options over several months or years — a process called vesting. Usually, employees must wait to sell their vested stock until the end of a lock-up period — a period after an IPO during which employees have to wait before selling their shares.

Other reasons companies go public are to gain media attention, grow a broad base of financial supporters, and create a windfall for venture capital firms that helped fund the company in its early stages.

The number of publicly traded, exchange-listed companies in the U.S. has decreased from the peak in the mid-to-late 1990s when it reached about 8,000. In 2021, the figure was closer to 6,000 companies that traded on different stock exchanges, such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq.

Steps in IPO Valuation

When a company decides to hold an IPO, they work with an investment bank to determine the company’s IPO valuation. The process of investment bankers handling an IPO is called underwriting.

How Underwriting Works in IPOs

Each underwriting process can be slightly different, but investment bankers’ factors in determining IPO prices and valuations are essentially the same. Some questions include:

•   Why has the company decided to go public?

•   What is the current status of the market?

•   Who are the company’s competitors?

•   What are the company’s assets?

•   How much has been invested in the company and by whom?

•   What is the history of the company and its team?

•   What are the company’s prospects for growth?

Recommended: What Is IPO Due Diligence?

Process of Determining IPO Prices

The rules of supply and demand apply to how the company and its underwriters will set an IPO price. Essentially, the underwriters must determine the demand for the shares based on the supply of shares that will be offered and sold to investors. These underwriters try to figure out what investors are willing to pay for each share of a company when it decides to go public.

To create a balance in this tradeoff that makes both existing and new investors happy, the company must decide how many new shares to issue and the estimated IPO price they plan to sell each share. The company’s executives and their investment bank determine the number of new shares by deciding how much money they hope to raise and how much ownership they are willing to give up.

Institutional Investors in IPO Process

Once executives and bankers decide on the number of new shares to issue, they reach out to institutional investors to start asking them how many shares they are interested in buying. Institutional investors include hedge funds, mutual funds, high net worth individuals, and pension funds in good standing with the investment bank.

Days before the IPO, the institutional investors place requests for how many shares they actually want to purchase. The company and its investment bankers then set the price for the IPO, and they know how much money they will raise.

The underwriting investment bank goes through the complex process of selling and allocating all the newly public shares to the institutional investors. They want to create a balance of different types of investors.

Retail Investors in IPO Process

Unfortunately for the at-home retail investor, it can be difficult to buy a stock at its IPO price. However, some brokerage platforms, like SoFi, have started to offer IPO Investing services that allow individuals to buy closer to the IPO price.

Determining Opening Price Point

Before the first day of trading, the stock exchanges on which the company decides to list look at all the incoming orders for the newly issued stock, which may be either buy or sell orders, and report the predominant price.

They then go through a process of price discovery to determine what the opening price will be. The goal is to have the maximum number of trades be executed from all the placed orders. At Nasdaq, this is done electronically, while human traders are involved at the NYSE.

Following this price discovery period, the opening price point is set, and the trading day continues. The stock is open for public trading.


💡 Quick Tip: The best stock trading app? That’s a personal preference, of course. Generally speaking, though, a great app is one with an intuitive interface and powerful features to help make trades quickly and easily.

Post-IPO Trading

In an ideal situation for the company and the underwriters, the stock’s closing price is relatively close to the opening price on opening day. This means the shares were priced accurately for what investors are willing to pay and the company had an appropriate valuation.

However, the IPO price isn’t necessarily a good indicator of the value of a stock. Broader market interest in the stock is impossible to plan for, and IPO conditions differ from the company’s long-term presence in the market.

IPO Price vs Opening Price: Similarities & Differences

Many analysts use the terms IPO price and opening price interchangeably when discussing a newly public company. However, there is a distinction between the two price points.

The IPO price is the price at which a company’s shares are first offered to institutional and accredited investors. The underwriters of the IPO sell the newly issued public share to these investors and clients at the initial public offering price.

In contrast, the opening price is the price at which the stock trades when it first begins trading on the stock market. The two prices are usually very close, but the opening price may be higher or lower than the IPO price.

Do IPO Stocks Always Rise?

IPO stocks don’t always rise in price once they are available for public trading. Many highly talked-about IPOs have disappointed in their opening weeks. This may be because investors feel these companies are overvalued and don’t want to risk putting money into them when they haven’t yet shown a profit.

It can take time for a stock to increase following an IPO, so the initial sale isn’t necessarily an indicator of long-term success or failure. The initial stock offering doesn’t always result in an immediate rise, but the influx of new capital can allow the company to grow.

Many stocks experienced tumultuous action for months before seeing a steadier climb. As an investor, looking for companies with a solid team and business plan, rather than just hype and a high valuation, can result in long-term portfolio growth.

How to Invest in IPOs

You can expose yourself to IPO stocks through an exchange-traded fund (ETF). Certain ETFs offer a weighted balance of newly public stocks and are adjusted over time. By diversifying your portfolio, you benefit from any gains while avoiding steep losses.

Also, some online brokerages, like SoFi, offer IPO investing for retail investors.

But, as mentioned above, IPOs can be very volatile. Although there is potential for significant returns, investors can also see severe losses in the weeks and months after a company goes public.

Rather than investing immediately, you can wait a quarter or six months to see how a company’s stock fluctuates following the IPO and then decide whether to invest. Stocks can often fall to form a base price before beginning to rise again.

Recommended: How to Find Upcoming IPO Stocks Before Listing Day

The Takeaway

It’s exciting when a company opens up to public investment. Although the IPO price is set as part of the lengthy IPO process, once the stock goes public all bets are off. Now the market determines the stock price, and the valuation of the company itself.

That’s one reason it can be challenging for most investors to know when and how to add new IPO stocks to their portfolios. Ultimately, investing in newly public stocks can be risky; the decision should be based on financial goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance.

Whether you’re curious about exploring IPOs, or interested in traditional stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), you can get started by opening an account on the SoFi Invest® brokerage platform. On SoFi Invest, eligible SoFi members have the opportunity to trade IPO shares, and there are no account minimums for those with an Active Investing account. As with any investment, it's wise to consider your overall portfolio goals in order to assess whether IPO investing is right for you, given the risks of volatility and loss.

Invest with as little as $5 with a SoFi Active Investing account.

FAQ

Is it good to buy at IPO price?

Like all investments, there is risk in buying a stock when it goes public. IPOs can be suitable investments if the stock price increases after the IPO, but there is also a risk that the stock price could decrease. When buying a stock at an IPO price, investors don’t have the benefit of history to help analyze the stock.

How is an IPO price determined?

The IPO price is the initial public offering price of a stock. The IPO price is the price the underwriters will sell stock to institutional and accredited investors. The investment bank that works with the company going public determines the IPO price.

Can you lose money on an IPO?

Yes. An investor can lose money on an IPO if the company’s stock price falls below the price at which the investor bought the shares.

SoFi Invest®
INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE
SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below: Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.

Investing in an Initial Public Offering (IPO) involves substantial risk, including the risk of loss. Further, there are a variety of risk factors to consider when investing in an IPO, including but not limited to, unproven management, significant debt, and lack of operating history. For a comprehensive discussion of these risks please refer to SoFi Securities’ IPO Risk Disclosure Statement. IPOs offered through SoFi Securities are not a recommendation and investors should carefully read the offering prospectus to determine whether an offering is consistent with their investment objectives, risk tolerance, and financial situation.

New offerings generally have high demand and there are a limited number of shares available for distribution to participants. Many customers may not be allocated shares and share allocations may be significantly smaller than the shares requested in the customer’s initial offer (Indication of Interest). For SoFi’s allocation procedures please refer to IPO Allocation Procedures.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SOIN0623083

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Oct
19
2023
What Determines Student Loan Refinance Rates?

What Determines Student Loan Refinance Rates?

By | Fresh Out of School, Going to College, Student Loans, student_loan | Comments Off on What Determines Student Loan Refinance Rates?

Private lenders that refinance student loans base rates they offer on the loan term, the borrower’s risk profile, and a rate index. Typically, the most financially stable applicants get the lowest rates.

When the goal is a lower rate, lower monthly payments, or both, the fixed or variable rate you qualify for makes all the difference. (You can also get a lower rate by refinancing with an extended term, but if you do so you may pay more interest over the life of the loan.)

Here’s a look at what you need to know about how interest rates for student loan refinances work.

Student Loan Refinancing, Explained

When you refinance, you take out a new private loan and use it to pay off your existing federal or private student loans. The new loan will have a new repayment term and interest rate, which hopefully will be better.

Most refinancing lenders offer fixed or variable interest rates and terms of five to 20 years. Shortening or lengthening your existing student loan term or terms can affect your monthly payment and the total cost of your new loan. The two key ways to save money by refinancing are:

•   A shorter repayment term

•   A lower rate

Then again, someone wanting lower monthly payments might choose a longer term, but that may result in more interest paid over the life of the loan.

There are no fees to refinance student loans. Nor is there any limit to the number of times you can refinance. Lenders will want to see a decent credit score, a stable income, and manageable debt. Adding a cosigner may strengthen your profile.

Refinancing federal student loans into a private student loan renders federal benefits moot.

Is Consolidation the Same as Refinancing?

Student loan consolidation and refinancing are terms that are often used interchangeably, but they are not technically the same thing. In general, consolidation means combining multiple loans to create one simplified payment. However, student loan consolidation most often refers to a federal program that allows you to combine multiple types of federal student loans into a single loan. The new loan will have a new term of up to 30 years, but the new rate will not be lower.

Refinancing of student loans is offered by private lenders, such as banks and credit unions. Federal and/or private student loans are refinanced into a new loan that ideally has a better rate; you can refinance a single loan, or consolidate multiple loans into a single new loan through this refinancing process.


💡 Quick Tip: Ready to refinance your student loan? With SoFi’s no-fee loans, you could save thousands.

What Are Interest Rates?

Interest rates are the amount lenders charge individuals to borrow money. When you take out a loan, you must pay back the amount you borrowed, plus interest, usually represented by a certain percentage of the loan principal (the amount you have remaining to pay off).

When interest rates are high, borrowing money is more expensive. And when interest rates are low, borrowing can be cheaper.

Interest rates can be fixed, variable, or a hybrid. For fixed interest rates, lenders set the rate at the beginning of the loan, and that rate will not change over the life of the loan.

A variable interest rate is indexed to a benchmark interest rate. As that benchmark rises or falls, so too will the variable rate on your loan. Variable-rate loans may be best for short-term loans that you can pay off before interest rates have a chance to rise.

Hybrid rates may start out with a fixed interest rate for a period of time, which then switches to a variable rate.

How Is Interest Rate Different From APR?

While interest rates refers to the monthly amount you’ll need to pay to borrow money, annual percentage rate (APR) represents your interest rate for an entire year and any other costs and fees associated with the loan.

As a result, APR gives you a better sense of exactly how expensive a loan might be, and helps when comparing loan options.

What Factors Influence Student Loan Interest Rates?

Interest rates for federal student loans are set by Congress each year. Federal loans use the 10-year Treasury note as an index for interest rates. These rates apply to all borrowers.

Private lenders, on the other hand, will look at other factors when determining interest rates, such as credit score and credit history. Their interest rates are not governed by legislation so rates can be higher or lower than the federal one, depending on the type of loan and terms. Prevailing interest rates, however, still play a big factor since they change annually.

Typically, lenders see those with higher scores as more likely to pay off their loans on time, and may reward this with lower interest rates. Lenders see borrowers with lower scores as being at greater risk of defaulting on their loans. To offset the risk, they tend to offer higher interest rates.

Some lenders offer a rate discount if you sign up for their autopay program.

What Drives Student Loan Refinancing Rates?

Student loan refinancing rates are driven by many of the same factors that drive rates on your initial loan, such as credit score and credit history. You may want to consider refinancing during this era of low rates or if your financial situation has improved. For example, if you’ve increased your income or you’ve paid off other debts and your credit score received a boost, you may look into refinancing your loans at a lower interest rate.

Many graduates haven’t had much time to build a credit history. A cosigner with good credit may help an individual qualify for a refinance at a lower rate. Cosigners share responsibility for loan payments, of course. So if you miss a payment, they’ll be on the hook.

Refinance Student Loans With SoFi

You might choose to refinance student loans when interest rates are relatively low or your financial situation has improved, potentially providing access to a new private student loan at a lower rate.

Refinancing may be a good move for borrowers with higher-interest private student loans and those with federal student loans who don’t plan to use federal programs like income-driven repayment, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, or forbearance.

A student loan refinancing calculator can help you determine how much you might save by refinancing your student loans.

Looking to lower your monthly student loan payment? Refinancing may be one way to do it — by extending your loan term, getting a lower interest rate than what you currently have, or both. (Please note that refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for federal forgiveness and protections. Also, lengthening your loan term may mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.) SoFi student loan refinancing offers flexible terms that fit your budget.

With SoFi, refinancing is fast, easy, and all online. We offer competitive fixed and variable rates.

FAQ

How are student loan refinancing rates calculated?

Lenders base interest rates largely on factors like an applicant’s credit history, income, debt, and prevailing interest rates which change annually.

Does refinancing save you money?

When you refinance your student loans with a new loan at a lower interest rate, you will pay less interest over the life of the loan, given the same or similar loan terms.

What is an average interest rate for student loans?

The average interest rate among all student loans, federal and private, is 5.8%, according to Education Data Initiative researchers. Private student loan rates have a wide range for fixed- and variable-rate loans and generally range from 4% to 15%.

For the 2023-2024 school year, the interest rate on Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized loans for undergraduates is 5.50%, the rate on Direct Unsubsidized loans for graduate and professional students is 7.05%, and the rate on Direct PLUS loans for graduate students, professional students, and parents is 8.05%. The interest rates on federal student loans are fixed and are set annually by Congress.

Photo credit: iStock/Kateryna Onyshchuk
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SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
If you are a federal student loan borrower, you should consider all of your repayment opportunities including the opportunity to refinance your student loan debt at a lower APR or to extend your term to achieve a lower monthly payment. Please note that once you refinance federal student loans you will no longer be eligible for current or future flexible payment options available to federal loan borrowers, including but not limited to income-based repayment plans or extended repayment plans.


Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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Oct
19
2023
Are Refinanced Student Loans Tax Deductible?

Are Refinanced Student Loans Tax Deductible?

By | Fresh Out of School, Student Loans, student_loan | Comments Off on Are Refinanced Student Loans Tax Deductible?

While the principal of a student loan isn’t tax deductible, the interest you pay on it can be — and that includes refinanced student loans. If you’re eligible, you may be able to deduct up to $2,500 from your taxable income.

The amount you can deduct is dependent on your income; as you earn more, the amount you can deduct is decreased and eventually eliminated. You also must have paid interest on a qualified student loan – that is, one taken out to pay for qualified higher education expenses, such as tuition, books, or room and board.

Here’s what to know about refinanced student loans and tax returns, including when interest on student loans is tax deductible, how tax deductions differ from tax credits, and how refinancing can affect taxes.

What Is a Tax Deduction?

For starters, it’s helpful to review what a tax deduction is: A tax deduction lowers your taxable income by reducing the amount of your income before you or a tax professional calculates the tax you owe.

For example, a $100 exemption or deduction reduces your taxable income by $100. So it would reduce the taxes you owe by a maximum of $100 multiplied by your tax rate, which can range from 0% to 37%. So your deduction could reduce your taxes between $0 to $37.

And before considering how refinancing affects your taxes, it’s helpful to review what happens when you refinance a student loan: Your lender “swaps out” (or “pays off”) your existing loans and gives you a new loan with new terms. A student loan refinance may be beneficial if you get a lower interest rate and/or a lower monthly payment, which can save you money in the long run. (Note: You may pay more interest over the life of the loan if you refinance with an extended term.)

If you’re considering refinancing federal student loans, however, it’s important to understand that you would lose access to certain federal benefits and protections, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness, federal deferment and forbearance as well as income-driven repayment options.


💡 Quick Tip: Ready to refinance your student loan? With SoFi’s no-fee loans, you could save thousands.

The Difference Between a Tax Deduction and a Tax Credit

Keep in mind that a tax deduction is not the same as a tax credit. While a tax deduction reduces your taxable income, a tax credit directly reduces your taxes.

Tax credits give you a dollar-for-dollar reduction on your taxes. In other words, if you qualify for a $2,000 tax credit, the tax credit lowers your tax bill by that exact amount — $2,000.

Recommended: Tax Season 2022: A Guide to Understanding Your Taxes

How Does Paying Student Loans Affect Taxes?

If you paid qualified student loans during the year, you may be eligible for the student loan interest tax deduction. This deduction can reduce your taxable income by the amount of student loan interest you paid during the year — up to $2,500.

Note that the interest on student loans is tax deductible, not your total payment amount (which includes the principal). You can claim it without having to itemize deductions on your tax return because it’s taken as an adjustment to income. This means you can claim this deduction even if you do not itemize deductions on Form 1040.

Who Is Eligible for the Student Loan Interest Deduction?

The student loan interest deduction is an “above the line” deduction, which means that it is deducted to calculate your adjusted gross income (AGI).

As mentioned earlier, the interest paid must be for a qualified student loan that you take out for yourself, your spouse, or a dependent for qualified undergraduate or graduate education expenses, such as tuition, books, or room and board. In addition, the expenses must have been incurred within “a reasonable period of time” prior to or after taking out the loan, according to the IRS.

For taxable years beginning in 2023, your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) must also amount to less than $80,000 ($160,000 if filing a joint return). Your amount will be phased out (reduced) if your MAGI is between $80,000 and $90,000 ($160,000 and $180,000 if you file a joint return).

You cannot claim the deduction at all if your MAGI is $90,000 or more ($180,000 or more if you file a joint return). You also will not qualify for the deduction if you are married and filing separately.

Recommended: How Income Tax Withholding Works

Are Refinanced Student Loans Tax Deductible?

Yes, you can get a tax deduction on the interest you’ve paid on refinanced or consolidated student loans as long as the new loan refinanced qualified student loans.

Refinancing affects your taxes only insofar as the refinancing might change how much interest you pay in a given year – and thus, how much you can deduct. For instance, if refinancing lowers the amount of interest you pay below the $2,500 deduction amount, then that would mean you can’t deduct as much on your taxes. Still, refinancing may save you more money in the long run than a student loan interest deduction because it’s a deduction, not a tax credit. It’s important to do the math or consult a tax professional before you make a final decision.

Recommended: Where Is My Tax Refund?

Refinance Qualifications

It’s also worth taking a look at common eligibility requirements for a refinance. For most borrowers, the soonest you can refinance is usually after graduating. In addition to a degree, you often need to have:

•   A debt-to-income (DTI) ratio under 50%: Your DTI refers to how much of your income goes toward debt and how much goes toward your regular income. It’s best to keep your DTI under 50%, but being over doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t qualify for a student loan refinance.

•   Minimum credit score of 650: Your credit score is a three-digit number that shows how well you pay back debt. It’s best to have a minimum credit score of at least 650 to be eligible for student loan financing. Again, your personal situation will be considered before determining whether you qualify for a refinance.

•   A steady job and/or consistent income: You may need to prove that you have a steady job and have enough savings to be able to pay for at least two months’ worth of regular expenses.

•   A certain balance amount: In most cases, lenders will require you to have a certain minimum balance on your student loans in order to qualify for a refinance.

Refinancing Your Student Loans With SoFi

If you’re thinking about refinancing your student loans, SoFi offers flexible terms with fixed or variable rates. You can apply online, and there aren’t any fees.

Looking to lower your monthly student loan payment? Refinancing may be one way to do it — by extending your loan term, getting a lower interest rate than what you currently have, or both. (Please note that refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for federal forgiveness and protections. Also, lengthening your loan term may mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.) SoFi student loan refinancing offers flexible terms that fit your budget.

With SoFi, refinancing is fast, easy, and all online. We offer competitive fixed and variable rates.

FAQ

What refinance costs are tax deductible?

When it comes to refinancing and taxes, lenders usually don’t charge any upfront fees to refinance your student loans, which means that there aren’t any refinance costs to deduct.

When you make payments on a qualified student loan — including refinanced student loans — you may be eligible for the student loan interest deduction.

Is it worth it to claim student loan interest?

Yes, when it comes to student loans and tax returns, you may be able to deduct up to $2,500 from your taxable income if you’re eligible.

To be able to claim the deduction, your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) must be less than $80,000 ($160,000 if filing a joint return). You’ll also experience a phased-out deduction if your MAGI is between $80,000 and $90,000 ($160,000 and $180,000 if you file a joint return). It disappears entirely at MAGIs above $90,000 and $180,000 for joint filers.

Are student loan payments tax deductible?

Only the interest you pay on your student loans is tax deductible. Whole student loan payments (which include principal) are not tax deductible.

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
If you are a federal student loan borrower, you should consider all of your repayment opportunities including the opportunity to refinance your student loan debt at a lower APR or to extend your term to achieve a lower monthly payment. Please note that once you refinance federal student loans you will no longer be eligible for current or future flexible payment options available to federal loan borrowers, including but not limited to income-based repayment plans or extended repayment plans.


SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Photo credit: iStock/Drazen Zigic
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Oct
19
2023
Student Loans: Refinance vs. Income Driven Repayment

Refinancing Student Loans vs Income Driven Repayment Plans

By | Debt Payoff, Fresh Out of School, Student Loans, student_loan | Comments Off on Refinancing Student Loans vs Income Driven Repayment Plans
Editor's Note: For the latest developments regarding federal student loan debt repayment, check out our student debt guide.

If you’re having trouble making your student loan payments or just want to know if you can make a change to your payments, it’s worth looking into the options, such as refinancing student loans or an income-driven repayment plan.

Student loan refinancing is available for both private and federal student loans, while income-driven repayment plans are an option only for federal student loans. Proposed changes to income-driven repayment would lower monthly payments and curtail interest accrual, making the plans a better deal for borrowers. Here’s what to know about both options as well as the pros and cons of each.

What Is Student Loan Refinancing?

When you refinance a student loan, a private lender pays off your student loans and gives you a new loan with new terms. For example, the interest rate and/or the loan term may change. You can’t refinance loans through the federal government, however. You can only refinance federal student loans (or private student loans) through a private lender.

If you’re a graduate with high-interest Direct Unsubsidized Loans, Graduate PLUS loans, and/or private loans, a refinance can change how quickly you pay off your loans and/or the amount you pay each month.


💡 Quick Tip: Ready to refinance your student loan? With SoFi’s no-fee loans, you could save thousands.

Pros of Student Loan Refinancing

When considering refinancing your student loans, there are several benefits. You can:

•   Lower your monthly payments: Lowering your monthly payment means you can save money or spend more in other areas of your life instead of putting that cash toward paying student loans. (Depending on the length of the loan term, however, you may end up paying more in total interest.)

•   Get a lower interest rate than your federal student loan interest rates: This can result in paying less interest over the life of the loan (as long as you don’t extend your loan to a longer term). A student loan refinance calculator can show you the interest rate you qualify for.

•   Decrease your debt-to-income ratio (DTI): Your DTI compares your debt payments to your income. So if you lower your monthly payments, you could be lowering your DTI ratio — and a lower DTI can help when applying for a mortgage or other type of loan.

•   Remove a cosigner. Many borrowers who took out undergraduate loans did so with a parent or other cosigner. Refinancing without a cosigner allows you to regain some financial independence and privacy, provided you have a strong credit history.

Recommended: What’s the Average Student Loan Interest Rate?

Cons of Student Loan Refinancing

That said, refinancing federal loans can have some drawbacks as well. They include:

•   No longer being able to take advantage of federal forbearance: When you refinance your student loans through a private lender, you no longer qualify for federal student loan forbearance, such as the Covid-19-related payment holiday. However, it’s worth noting that some private lenders offer their own benefits and protections after you refinance.

•   No longer being able to tap into income-driven repayment plans, forgiveness programs, or other federal benefits: Refinancing federal student loans means replacing them with private loans — and forfeiting the protections and programs that come with them.

•   Possibly seeing your credit score get dinged: Your lender may do a hard credit history inquiry (or pull), which can affect your credit score.

For a deeper dive into the topic, check out our Student Loan Refinancing Guide.

What Are Income Driven Repayment Plans?

Put simply, income-driven repayment plans are plans that base your monthly payment amount on what you can afford to pay. Under the Standard Repayment Plan, you’ll pay fixed monthly payments of at least $50 per month for up to 10 years. On the other hand, an income-driven repayment plan considers your income and family size and allows you to pay accordingly based on those factors — for longer than 10 years and with smaller loan payments. Income-driven repayment plans are based on a percentage of your discretionary income.

You can only use an income-driven repayment plan for federal student loans. If you qualify, you could take advantage of four types of income-driven repayment plans:

•   Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan: You typically pay 10% of your discretionary income over the course of 20 years (for loans for undergraduate study) or 25 years (for loans for graduate or professional school).

•   Pay As You Earn Repayment Plan (PAYE Plan): You typically pay 10% of your discretionary income but not more than the 10-year Standard Repayment Plan amount over the course of 20 years.

•   Income-Based Repayment Plan (IBR Plan): As a new borrower, you typically pay 10% of your discretionary but never more than the 10-year Standard Repayment Plan amount over the course of 20 years. If you’re not a new borrower, you’ll pay 15% of your discretionary income but never more than the 10-year Standard Repayment Plan amount over the course of 25 years.

•   Income-Contingent Repayment Plan (ICR Plan): As a new borrower, you typically pay the lesser of the two: 20% of your discretionary income or a fixed payment over the course of 12 years, adjusted according to your income over the course of 25 years.

How do you know which option fits your needs? Your loan servicer can give you a rundown of the program that may fit your circumstances. You must apply for an income-driven repayment plan through a free application from the U.S. Department of Education.

Note: Every income-driven plan payment counts toward the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). So if you qualify for this program, you may want to choose the plan that offers you the smallest payment.

Recommended: How Is Income-Based Repayment Calculated?

Pros of Income Driven Repayment Plans

The benefits of income-driven repayment plans include the following:

•   Affordable student loan payments: If you can’t make your loan payments under the Standard Repayment Plan, an income-driven repayment plan allows you to make a lower monthly loan payment.

•   Potential for forgiveness: Making payments through an income-driven repayment plan and working through loan forgiveness under the PSLF program means you may qualify for forgiveness of your remaining loan balance after you’ve made 10 years of qualifying payments instead of 20 or 25 years.

•   Won’t affect your credit score: This may be one question you’re wondering, whether income-based repayment affects your credit score? The answer is: no. Since you’re not changing your total loan balance or opening another credit account, lenders have no reason to check your credit score.

Cons of Income Driven Repayment Plans

Now, let’s take a look at the potential downsides to income-driven repayment plans:

•   Payment could change later: The Department of Education asks you to recertify your annual income and family size for payment, which is recalculated every 12 months. If your income changes, your payments would also change.

•   Balance may increase: Borrowers under the PAYE or IBR plan receive a three-year interest subsidy from the government. However, after the subsidy expires, borrowers are responsible for paying the interest that accrues on subsidized and unsubsidized loans.

•   There are many eligibility factors: Your eligibility could be affected by several things, including when your loans were disbursed, your marital status, year-to-year changing income, and more.

Refinancing vs Income Driven Repayment Plans

Here are the factors related to refinancing and income-driven repayment plans in a side-by-side comparison.

Refinancing

 Income-Driven Repayment Plan
Lowers your monthly payments Possibly Possibly
Changes your loan term Possibly Yes
Increases your balance Possibly Possibly
Is eventually forgiven if you still haven’t paid off your loan after the repayment term No Yes
Requires an application Yes Yes
Requires yearly repayment calculations No Yes

Choosing What Is Right for You

When you’re considering whether to refinance or choose an income-driven repayment plan, it’s important to take into account the interest you’ll be paying over time. It could be that you will pay more interest because you lengthened your loan term. If that’s the case, just make sure you are comfortable with this before making any changes. Many people who refinance their student loans do so because they want to decrease the amount of interest they pay over time — and many want to pay off their loans sooner.

That said, if you’re wondering whether you should refinance your federal student loans, you’ll also want to make sure you are comfortable forfeiting your access to federal student loan benefits and protections.

Refinancing Student Loans With SoFi

Refinancing your student loans with SoFi means getting a competitive interest rate. You can choose between a fixed or variable rate — and you won’t pay origination fees or prepayment penalties.

Looking to lower your monthly student loan payment? Refinancing may be one way to do it — by extending your loan term, getting a lower interest rate than what you currently have, or both. (Please note that refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for federal forgiveness and protections. Also, lengthening your loan term may mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.) SoFi student loan refinancing offers flexible terms that fit your budget.

With SoFi, refinancing is fast, easy, and all online. We offer competitive fixed and variable rates.

FAQ

Is income-contingent repayment a good idea?

This plan may be a good idea for some borrowers because the repayment terms are based on the lesser of these two: 20% of your discretionary income or a fixed payment over the course of 12 years, adjusted according to your income over the course of 25 years. Any remaining balance will be forgiven if you haven’t repaid your loan in full after 25 years. Because of the longer repayment timeline, the drawback is borrowers may pay more over time. It also won’t provide payments as low as the SAVE Plan.

What are the disadvantages of income based repayment?

The biggest disadvantage of income-based repayment is that you stretch out your loan term from the standard repayment plan of 10 years to longer — up to 25 years. This means that more interest will accrue on your loans and you could end up paying more on your loan before your loan term ends.

Does income based repayment get forgiven?

Yes! Through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, student loans can be forgiven after making 10 years of qualifying, consecutive payments. Additionally, borrowers with an income-driven repayment plan can have the remaining balances on their loans forgiven after 20 or 25 years.

Photo credit: iStock/m-imagephotography

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
If you are a federal student loan borrower, you should consider all of your repayment opportunities including the opportunity to refinance your student loan debt at a lower APR or to extend your term to achieve a lower monthly payment. Please note that once you refinance federal student loans you will no longer be eligible for current or future flexible payment options available to federal loan borrowers, including but not limited to income-based repayment plans or extended repayment plans.


SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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