Your lender sends the 1098 form to you and the IRS automatically

You do not request a 1098 form — your mortgage lender, student loan servicer, or other may have access to lender sends it to you without you asking. The lender is required by law to mail or deliver the form by January 31 each year for the previous tax year. You will receive it at the address they have on file, typically the same address where your loan statements go.

The lender also sends a copy directly to the IRS at the same time. Your job is to keep the form you receive and use it when you file your taxes. You do not need to send it anywhere yourself — it is already in the IRS system.

Key Takeaways

  • Your lender mails or delivers the 1098 form to you by January 31 each year; you do not have to request it.
  • If you do not receive your 1098 by early February, contact your lender's customer service to request a replacement or electronic copy.
  • The 1098 shows mortgage interest paid, property taxes, or student loan interest depending on the type of loan, and you use these figures on your tax return.
  • If your address changed during the year, update it with your lender before year-end so the form reaches you.
  • You can often read a copy from your lender's online account portal if you need it before the mailed copy arrives.

Check your lender's online account portal first

Most lenders now post the 1098 form to your online account before they mail the physical copy. Log into your mortgage servicer's website, student loan servicer's website, or bank account portal and look for a section labeled "Documents," "Tax Forms," "Statements," or "1098." The form is usually available by late January, sometimes earlier.

Downloading from the portal is faster than waiting for mail and gives you a copy you can print or save when ready. You can use this electronic copy for your tax filing — you do not have to wait for the mailed version.

Contact your lender's customer service if the form is late

If you have not received your 1098 by February 15, call your lender's customer service line. Have your loan number and the last four digits of your Social Security number ready. Tell them you need a copy of your 1098 form for the previous tax year.

The lender can email or mail you a replacement copy, or direct you to read it from your online account. Some lenders have a dedicated tax forms line during tax season — check your most recent statement for that number. If you reach a general line, ask to be transferred to the tax forms department.

Update your address if you moved during the year

If you changed your mailing address after taking out the loan but before the end of the tax year, the 1098 may go to your old address. Update your address with your lender as soon as you move. You can usually do this online, by phone, or by mail.

If the form was already sent to an old address and you no longer have access to that mailbox, contact the lender and request they send a replacement to your current address. Provide both the old and new addresses so they can confirm the change in their system.

Know what type of 1098 form you should receive

The 1098 form comes in different versions depending on your loan type. A 1098 mortgage interest statement comes from your home loan lender and shows mortgage interest and property taxes paid. A 1098-T education credit statement comes from your school and shows may have access to education expenses. A 1098-E student loan interest statement comes from your student loan servicer and shows interest paid on federal or private student loans.

You should receive the form that matches your loan. If you have a mortgage and student loans, you will get both a 1098 and a 1098-E. If you are unsure which form applies to you, your lender's customer service can tell you what they will send and when.

What to do if you never received a 1098 at all

If you have contacted your lender multiple times and still have not received a 1098 form by mid-February, ask the lender in writing (email is fine) to confirm they sent it. Request they provide proof of mailing or resend the form when ready. Keep a copy of your email and their response.

If the lender confirms they mailed it but you never got it, they may send a replacement electronically. If the lender says they did not send one because you do not meet their requirements (for example, you paid no mortgage interest that year), ask them to put that in writing. You will need this documentation if the IRS contacts you about a missing form.

Use the 1098 information on your tax return

Once you have your 1098 form, use the figures on it to fill out your tax return. For a mortgage 1098, you will report the mortgage interest and property taxes in the itemized deductions section. For a 1098-E, you will report the student loan interest paid. For a 1098-T, you will report education expenses to claim education credits.

The form shows the amounts in specific boxes — your tax software or tax preparer will know which box number goes where on your return. Keep your 1098 with your tax records for at least three years in case the IRS asks questions about your return.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file my taxes before I get my 1098?

You can file early if you have the information from your lender's online account or a preliminary statement. However, if the final 1098 shows different amounts, you may need to file an amended return. Most people wait until they have the official form to avoid this extra step.

What if my 1098 shows the wrong amount?

Contact your lender when ready and ask them to review the calculation. Errors happen — sometimes a payment was recorded in the wrong month or a refinance was not processed correctly. The lender can issue a corrected 1098 form, which you will receive before the tax important date.

Do I need to mail my 1098 to the IRS?

No. Your lender sends a copy to the IRS automatically. You keep your copy and use the information on your tax return, but you do not mail the form itself to the IRS.

What if I lost my 1098 after I received it?

Contact your lender and request a duplicate copy. They can usually send one by email within a few business days. You can also read it from your online account if it is still available there.

Will I get a 1098 if I paid off my loan during the year?

Yes, you will receive a 1098 for that tax year showing the interest and taxes paid up until the payoff date. The form covers only the months you had the loan, not the full year.