Your lender must send you a 1098 form by January 31 each year if you paid $600 or more in mortgage interest during that year

The 1098 form (officially the Mortgage Interest Statement) comes directly from your mortgage lender or servicer, not from the IRS. If you paid mortgage interest in the previous calendar year, your lender is required by law to mail or email you a 1098 by January 31. You do not need to request it — lenders send these forms automatically to borrowers who meet the threshold.

If you do not receive your 1098 by early February, contact your lender's customer service department. Lenders typically send forms to the address on file for your loan. If you moved during the year, update your address with your lender before year-end to may support delivery to the correct location.

Key Takeaways

  • Your mortgage lender sends the 1098 form automatically by January 31 if you paid $600 or more in mortgage interest during the previous year.
  • The form goes to the address your lender has on file, so update your mailing address before the end of the year if you moved.
  • If you do not receive your 1098 by early February, call your lender's customer service line to request a copy or ask them to resend it.
  • Some lenders offer online access to your 1098 through your account portal before the physical form arrives in the mail.
  • If your lender cannot locate your form, you can contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 to report the missing document.

Where to find your 1098 if your lender has an online account portal

Many mortgage servicers post the 1098 form to your online account before mailing the physical copy. Log into your lender's website or mobile app and look for a section labeled "Documents," "Tax Documents," "Statements," or "1098." The form is usually available in PDF format starting in late January.

If you have not set up an online account with your lender, now is a good time to do so. You can typically register using your loan number and Social Security number. Once you have access, you can read and print your 1098 when ready rather than waiting for the mailed version.

What to do if you do not receive your 1098 by February

Call your lender's customer service number — usually found on your monthly mortgage statement or the lender's website. Have your loan number and Social Security number ready. Ask the representative to confirm that your address is correct and to either email you a copy or resend the form by mail.

If the lender says the form was already sent, ask them to verify the mailing address they used. If the address is wrong, provide the correct one and request that they resend it. Some lenders can email a copy within one business day.

If your lender cannot locate your 1098 or claims it was not issued, ask them to provide a written statement explaining why. This statement can help if you need to contact the IRS later.

If your lender says you did not meet the $600 threshold

Lenders are only required to issue a 1098 if you paid $600 or more in mortgage interest during the calendar year. If your lender tells you that you did not reach this amount, you can still deduct mortgage interest on your tax return — you just will not have the 1098 form as documentation.

In this case, you can calculate your mortgage interest from your monthly statements or request an interest statement directly from your lender. Many lenders will provide this information in writing if you ask. Keep this documentation with your tax records in case the IRS asks about your deduction.

What if you paid off your mortgage during the year

If you paid off your mortgage before the end of the year, your lender will still send a 1098 for the interest you paid up to the payoff date. The form will show only the interest paid during the months you held the loan, not a full year's worth.

You will receive this form even if the total interest paid was less than $600, because the rules change when a loan is paid in full. Contact your lender if you do not receive it by February, using the same process described above.

Handling a 1098 from a previous lender or servicer

If your mortgage was sold or transferred to a new servicer during the year, you may receive two 1098 forms — one from your original lender and one from the new servicer. Each form covers only the months that lender serviced your loan. You will report the interest from both forms on your tax return.

If you are unsure which lender to contact, check your mortgage statements from throughout the year. The statement header shows who was servicing your loan at that time. Contact each servicer that appears on your statements to confirm they sent you a 1098.

What to do if you received an incorrect 1098

Review your 1098 against your mortgage statements to verify the interest amount is correct. If you spot an error — such as the wrong loan amount, incorrect interest total, or your name or Social Security number spelled wrong — contact your lender when ready.

Ask the lender to issue a corrected form. They will send you a revised 1098 and may also send a corrected copy to the IRS. Keep both the original and corrected forms with your tax records. When you file your return, use the corrected form and note the correction if your tax software asks about it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my 1098 before January 31?

Some lenders post the 1098 to your online account in late January, a few days before the January 31 important date. You can read it from your account portal if available. However, lenders are not required to send it before January 31, so the mailed copy may arrive later.

What if I lost my 1098 after receiving it?

Contact your lender and request a duplicate copy. They can resend it by mail or email. You can also read it from your online account if your lender offers that option. Keep the duplicate with your tax records.

Do I need the 1098 to deduct mortgage interest on my taxes?

The 1098 is documentation, but you can deduct mortgage interest without it if you have other proof, such as your monthly statements or a written interest statement from your lender. However, having the 1098 makes the process simpler and is what the IRS expects to see.

What if my lender is out of business or I cannot reach them?

Contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 and explain that you cannot reach your lender. The IRS can sometimes help locate the form or provide guidance on how to proceed with your tax return. Have your loan number and the lender's name ready when you call.

Do I need to do anything with my 1098 after I receive it?

Keep your 1098 with your tax records for at least three years. You do not need to mail it with your tax return, but you should have it available if the IRS asks questions about your mortgage interest deduction. Your tax software will ask you to enter the information from the form.