‘Can I Gift My Son $17,000 For Student Loans And Get A Tax Deduction?’ Here’s What Suze Orman Says

If you’re looking to support an adult child with student loan debt, you may be wondering whether there’s a tax benefit for doing so — especially if you’re in a strong financial position. That’s exactly what one listener asked Suze Orman on her “Women & Money” podcast.

Here’s how the question — and Orman’s answer — break down.

Marlene, a 75-year-old listener, wrote in to ask whether she could give her 50-year-old son $17,000 to help with student loans and get a tax deduction in the process. According to Orman, the answer is no.

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“You can absolutely gift your son or anybody you want… as many people a year as you want, currently, $18,000 a year,” Orman explained. “However, it’s not taxable to them, and it’s not a tax write-off to you on any level.”

This refers to the IRS annual gift tax exclusion, which allowed you to give up to $18,000 per person in 2024, now $19,000 in 2025, without needing to file a gift tax return. But while the gift itself may be tax-free for both giver and receiver, it doesn’t reduce your taxable income like a charitable donation or deductible expense might.

Even if the funds go directly toward student loans, the IRS still considers that a personal gift. That means it won’t trigger a deduction, no matter how good your intentions.

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So what’s the alternative? Some people consider donating to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides student loan relief, but that typically won’t help your own child. Direct payments to a lender don’t qualify as charitable giving.

Orman also cautioned listeners not to mix financial goals.

Although there’s no tax break for helping with student loans, Orman encouraged Marlene to think beyond taxes.

“If you’re very comfortable, does it make you uncomfortable when you see your son suffering under a lot of student loans at the age of 50?” Orman asked. She pointed out that financial help can be meaningful, but only if it’s used wisely and doesn’t enable poor financial habits.