Question:
Hi,
I recently refinanced my mortgage and pulled out some money in the process. Do I have to pay Maaser on that money, or not since it is technically a loan which will be paid back to the bank over the course of the mortgage?
Thank you
Answer:
You don’t have to give maser on it, but you will have to give maser on the earnings that you will make that will pay for the mortgage payments, since that will be earned money. One may not deduct mortgage payments from the calculation of their earnings, because the money that is being paid to the bank is going to give him the home, car, etc. for which he took out the mortgage.
Sources:
B’orach Tzedakah 9-6.
