Most calculators compare debt rates to investment returns before taxes. That's often the wrong answer. A 5% HYSA vs. a 4% car loan looks like a +1% win. After taxes, it can become **-0.40%**—meaning paying off the loan wins. This calculator uses 2026 U.S. tax rules, including federal brackets, NIIT, HYSA/T-Bills/stocks/IRAs, car & student loan deductions, mortgage rules, state tax treatment, and shareable links. Free. Open source. No signup. Feedback welcome.
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Maker
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Built this because every calculator I found compared rates
nominally — ignoring tax drag entirely. A 5% HYSA looks
better than a 4% car loan until you account for 22% federal
+ state tax. Then the loan payoff wins.
Models 2026 IRS rules including the new OBBBA car loan
deduction. Free, no signup, open source.
If you spot a tax rule I got wrong, tell me — I'll fix it.
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would love to see a way to model multiple debts side by side, so i can see whether paying extra on the car loan vs. the student loan vs. the mortgage gives the biggest after-tax benefit given the specific deduction rules for each.
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Maker
@erkansulumutlu Great suggestion Erkan — multi-debt comparison is on the roadmap.
The tricky part is the phase-out interactions when you have
both a student loan and mortgage simultaneously. Will build it.
would love to see a way to model multiple debts side by side, so i can see whether paying extra on the car loan vs. the student loan vs. the mortgage gives the biggest after-tax benefit given the specific deduction rules for each.
@erkansulumutlu Great suggestion Erkan — multi-debt comparison is on the roadmap.
The tricky part is the phase-out interactions when you have
both a student loan and mortgage simultaneously. Will build it.