Mortgage Interest Tax Deductions May Get Extra Scrutiny This Year
A newly designed Form 1098 gives the IRS more information, so be prepared to defend your deduction.


In response to criticism that the IRS was not properly monitoring mortgage interest deductions, Congress was asked to require lenders to report more information about the loans. In 2015 Congress passed the new reporting rules, and they went into effect for tax year 2016. Homeowners will see the result this year in a newly designed Form 1098, which is used to report mortgage interest. The new form will include the mortgage origination date, the balance at the end of last year and the address of the property securing the loan, as well as other information useful to the IRS.
With this new wealth of information, it’s expected that the IRS could direct more attention and audit resources toward checking mortgage interest deductions.
Note: These simplified examples are intended for informational purposes only. There are exceptions, definitions, special circumstances, etc. that are not covered. This article is not a substitute for professional advice directed to your personal situation. Therefore, we urge you to contact us if you have specific questions.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Charlie Benway is president of Main Street Financial LLC, a fee-only financial planning firm. He is a CPAand Certified Financial Planner™ who advises clients on taxes and investments in a fiduciary capacity.
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

Charlie Benway is president of Main Street Financial LLC, a fee-only investment advisory and financial planning firm in Mount Kisco, NY. Benway is a CPA and Certified Financial Planner™ who takes a goals-based approach to managing investments in a fiduciary capacity. He has been advising clients on tax and financial matters since 1988.
-
The Most Tax-Friendly States for Investing in 2025 (Hint: There Are Two)
State Taxes Living in one of these places could lower your 2025 investment taxes — especially if you invest in real estate.
-
Want To Retire at 55? See If You Can Answer These Five Questions
Who said you can’t retire at 55? If you say yes to these questions, you may be on your way to an early retirement.
-
Potential Trouble for Retirees: A Wealth Adviser's Guide to the OBBB's Impact on Retirement
While some provisions might help, others could push you into a higher tax bracket and raise your costs. Be strategic about Roth conversions, charitable donations, estate tax plans and health care expenditures.
-
From Mortgages to Taxes to Estates: How to Prepare for Falling Interest Rates
As speculation grows that the Federal Reserve will soon start lowering interest rates, now is a good time to review your financial plans for housing, estate, taxes, investing and retirement to make the most of potential changes.
-
This Is How Lottery Winners Build Lasting Legacies, From a Financial Professional
Winning a massive lottery jackpot, like the recent $1.4 billion Powerball, requires seeking immediate legal and financial counsel, protecting your identity and winnings and planning your legacy.
-
I'm an Investment Strategist: This Is How the Fed's Next Rate Move Could Impact Your Wallet
Interest rate cuts might be coming, which could affect everything from your credit card debt to your mortgage. It's smart to prepare now — here's how.
-
I'm a Retirement Planner: These Are Three Common Tax Mistakes You Could Be Making With Your Investments
Don't pay more tax on your investments than you need to. You can keep more money in your pocket (or for retirement) by avoiding these three common mistakes.
-
Four Clever and Tax-Efficient Ways to Ditch Concentrated Stock Holdings, From a Financial Planner
Holding too much of one company's stock can put your financial future at risk. Here are four ways you can strategically unwind such positions without triggering a massive tax bill.
-
Beyond Banking: How Credit Unions Serve Their Communities
Credit unions differentiate themselves from traditional banks by operating as member-owned financial cooperatives focused on community support and service rather than shareholder profit.
-
The Risks of Forced DST-to-UPREIT Conversions, From a Real Estate Expert
Some new Delaware statutory trust offerings are forcing investors into 721 UPREIT conversions at the end of the hold period, raising concerns about loss of control, limited liquidity, opaque valuations and unexpected tax liabilities.