Where to request your 1098 form

Your mortgage lender is required to send you a 1098 form by January 31 each year if you paid $600 or more in mortgage interest during that tax year. The lender will mail it to the address on file with your loan account, or offer it through their online portal. You do not need to request it — the lender sends it automatically.

If you have not received your 1098 by early February, log into your lender's website and check your account documents or mail settings. Many lenders now deliver tax forms electronically through their customer portal rather than by mail. If the form is available online, you can read and print it yourself.

If you still cannot find it after checking online, call your lender's customer service line. Have your loan number and the tax year in question ready. The lender can confirm whether they sent it, resend a copy by mail, or provide it electronically.

Key Takeaways

  • Your mortgage lender mails or posts your 1098 form automatically by January 31 if you paid $600 or more in mortgage interest that year.
  • Check your lender's online portal first — many forms are delivered electronically and available to read when ready.
  • If you do not see the form by early February, contact your lender's customer service with your loan number to request a copy or confirm it was sent.
  • You need the 1098 to report mortgage interest on your federal tax return if you itemize deductions.
  • Keep copies of all 1098 forms you receive for your tax records, even if you do not use them that year.

What to do if your lender closed or was sold

If your mortgage was sold to a different lender during the year, you may receive two 1098 forms — one from each lender covering the months they held your loan. Both are correct and both should be reported to the IRS. Do not combine them into one form.

If your original lender closed or went out of business, contact the lender that currently holds your loan. They may have records of the previous servicer and can help you track down the missing form. You can also contact the IRS directly at 800-829-1040 to report that you cannot obtain a 1098 from a defunct lender.

Downloading from your online banking account

Most major lenders — including Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase, and Rocket Mortgage — post 1098 forms in their customer portals by late January. Log in to your account, look for a section labeled "Documents," "Tax Forms," "Statements," or "1098," and read the PDF.

Some lenders require you to opt in to electronic delivery of tax forms. If you do not see the form in your portal, check your account settings to confirm you have elected to receive documents electronically. You can usually change this setting yourself, or call customer service to enable it.

Once you read the form, save it to your computer and print a copy for your records. The PDF is the official document — you do not need to wait for a mailed copy if you have already downloaded it from the lender's website.

What information appears on the 1098

The 1098 form shows your name, address, and loan number at the top. Box 1 lists the total mortgage interest you paid that year. Box 2 shows points paid on the loan (if any). Boxes 3 through 5 contain information about property taxes, insurance, and other items that vary by lender.

The form also lists the lender's name and address, and a copy number if you received multiple forms that year. The bottom of the form includes the lender's tax identification number and the date the form was prepared.

Review the form carefully to make sure the mortgage interest amount matches your loan statements. If the number looks wrong, contact your lender when ready — they may have made an error, or you may have paid off the loan early and the amount is actually correct.

Keeping records and copies

Store your 1098 forms in a folder with your other tax documents for that year. Keep them for at least three years, though the IRS can go back further if they audit your return. If you file electronically, you do not need to mail the form to the IRS, but you must keep your copy.

If you file a paper return, do not attach the 1098 to your tax return. Instead, use the information from the form to fill in the mortgage interest deduction on Schedule A (if you itemize deductions). The IRS receives a copy of your 1098 directly from your lender, so they already have the information.

If you refinance your mortgage, you will receive a 1098 from the new lender for the interest paid to them, and possibly a final 1098 from the old lender for the months before the refinance. Keep both forms with your tax records.

What to do if you did not receive a 1098

If you paid mortgage interest but did not receive a 1098, first confirm that your interest payment actually reached $600 for the year. Some loans have very low balances or were paid off early, and the lender is not required to send a form if interest was below that threshold.

Check your mortgage statements for the year to add up the total interest paid. If it is $600 or more, contact your lender and ask them to send or reissue the form. Provide them with the tax year and your loan number. Most lenders will respond within one to two weeks.

If your lender cannot or will not provide the form, you can still report the mortgage interest on your tax return using the amounts from your loan statements. Write "Form 1098 not received" next to the mortgage interest line on Schedule A. Keep copies of your statements to support the amount you reported.

Using the 1098 on your tax return

The 1098 is used only if you itemize deductions on your federal tax return. If you take the standard deduction instead, you do not report the mortgage interest and do not need the 1098 form.

If you do itemize, you will report the mortgage interest from Box 1 of your 1098 on Schedule A (Form 1040), line 8. You can only deduct interest on loans used to buy, build, or improve your home — not on home equity lines of credit or cash-out refinances used for other purposes.

The amount you can deduct is also limited by the total loan balance. For mortgages taken out after December 15, 2017, you can deduct interest on up to $750,000 of loan principal. For older mortgages, the limit is $1,000,000. Your lender's 1098 form does not calculate this limit — you may need to do that yourself or work with a tax professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I receive my 1098 form?

Your lender must send or post your 1098 by January 31. Most arrive by mid-January. Check your online portal first — many lenders deliver forms electronically before mailing paper copies. If you have not seen it by early February, contact your lender.

Do I need to mail my 1098 to the IRS?

No. The IRS receives a copy directly from your lender. You keep your copy for your records and use the information to fill out Schedule A if you itemize deductions. Do not attach the form to your tax return.

What if I paid off my mortgage during the year?

You will still receive a 1098 for the interest paid before the loan was paid off. The form will show only the interest paid through the payoff date, not a full year's worth. Report this amount on your tax return.

Can I deduct mortgage interest if I take the standard deduction?

No. Mortgage interest is only deductible if you itemize deductions on Schedule A. If your itemized deductions are less than the standard deduction for your filing status, you will not benefit from reporting the mortgage interest.

What if the mortgage interest amount on my 1098 seems wrong?

Compare it to the interest shown on your monthly loan statements and add them up for the year. If the totals do not match, contact your lender when ready. They may have made an error, or there may be an explanation like a payment applied to principal instead of interest.