Form 1098 Instructions & Tax Reporting Pointers

What You Need to Know About Form 1098

The 1098 is used to report mortgage interest (including points) of $600 or more received from an individual (including sole proprietors) during the course of trade or business. Reimbursements of overpaid mortgage interest apply, as well.

A mortgage is defined by the IRS as “any obligation secured by real property,” which generally includes land and almost anything built on it, growing on it or attached to it. Examples that are not real property include mobile homes, a boat with sleeping space that the borrower uses as a home, cooking facilities, toilet facilities. Details can be found here.

Because the 1098 applies to each mortgage, multiple mortgages require separate filings if the $600 threshold is reached for each that meets the $600 limit. The 1098 is not required for mortgage interest received from corporations, partnerships, trusts, estates, associations, or other entities that are not sole proprietors.

Applicable businesses: Banks, mortgage companies

When to file: 1098 forms must be mailed to recipients by January 31, and e-filed with the IRS by March 31 each year.

Be aware that the 1098 follows a different format from many variations of the 1099. For example, the Recipient is considered to be the Lender, and the Payer is considered to be the Borrower. Also, the Recipient/Lender section appears first on the form, and the Payer/Borrower section is listed second.