ewis and Laurie are married and jointly own a home valued at $240,000. They recently paid off the mortgage on their home. The couple borrowed money from the local credit union in January of 2018. How much interest may the couple deduct in each of the following alternative situations? (Assume they itemize deductions no matter the amount of interest.) (Leave no answer blank. Enter zero if applicable.)

a. The couple borrows $40,000, and the loan is secured by their home. The couple pays $1,600 interest on the loan during the year, and the couple files a joint return. Deductible interest expense: