Your lender or servicer mails the 1098 to you by January 31 each year

The organization that holds your mortgage, home equity line of credit, or student loan sends you Form 1098 in the mail. This is almost always your loan servicer — the company you send your monthly payment to — not the original lender. If you have a mortgage, your servicer is named on your monthly statement. For student loans, check your loan account online or call the number on your bill.

The form arrives by January 31 of the year following the tax year. So the 1098 for 2024 arrives by January 31, 2025. The IRS requires servicers to send it to the address on file with your loan account. If you moved during the year, the form may go to an old address unless you updated your address with the servicer.

You should receive one 1098 per loan. If you have two mortgages, two student loans, or both a mortgage and a home equity line of credit, you will receive multiple forms — one from each servicer.

Key Takeaways

  • Your loan servicer — the company you pay each month — mails the 1098 to you by January 31, not your original lender or the IRS.
  • The form goes to the address your servicer has on file, so update your address with them if you moved during the tax year.
  • You can request a copy by phone or through your servicer's website if the form does not arrive or gets lost.
  • If your servicer does not send a 1098 by mid-February, contact them directly rather than waiting — they can reissue it when ready.
  • The IRS receives a copy of your 1098 automatically, so the agency knows about your deductible interest even if you do not receive the form.

How to find your servicer's contact information

For a mortgage or home equity line of credit, your monthly statement lists the servicer's name and phone number. Call that number and ask for the 1098 form or a copy of it. You can also log into your online account — most servicers have a "documents" or "tax forms" section where you can read the 1098 directly.

For federal student loans, go to studentloans.gov and log in with your FSA ID. Your loan servicer's name and contact number appear in your account. Private student loan servicers vary; check your loan statement or the lender's website for contact details. Call and request the 1098-T or 1098-E, depending on which type of student loan you have.

If you cannot find the servicer's phone number, search online for "[servicer name] 1098 form" or "[servicer name] customer service." Most large servicers have dedicated tax form lines that answer quickly during tax season.

What to do if the form does not arrive by mid-February

Contact your servicer directly by phone. Have your loan account number ready. Tell them you have not received your 1098 and ask them to reissue it or send a duplicate. Most servicers can email or mail a replacement within one to three business days. Do not wait until April to contact them — servicers are busiest in late January and early February, and calling in March or April may add delays.

If your servicer says the form was mailed but you did not receive it, ask them to confirm the address they have on file. If the address is wrong, update it when ready and request they reissue the form to the correct address. If the address is correct, ask them to send a replacement by email or to mail a second copy.

Keep a record of when you called, who you spoke with, and what they told you. If you need to file your tax return before the form arrives, you can file using an estimate of your deductible interest based on your monthly statements. You can then file an amended return once the 1098 arrives, though this is rarely necessary because the IRS already has a copy of your form.

Understanding what information appears on the 1098

The 1098 shows the interest you paid on your loan during the tax year. For mortgages and home equity lines of credit, this is mortgage interest you may be able to deduct. For student loans, this is student loan interest you may be able to deduct. The form also lists property taxes paid (on mortgage 1098s) and points paid to obtain the loan (if applicable).

The 1098 includes your name, address, and loan account number, plus the servicer's name and tax ID number. Box 1 shows the total mortgage interest paid. Box 2 shows points paid in the current year. Box 5 shows property taxes paid (mortgage 1098s only). Student loan 1098s show interest paid in Box 1.

The amounts on the 1098 come from your monthly statements and payment records. If you made extra payments or paid off the loan early, the interest shown will be lower than in previous years. If you started the loan partway through the year, the interest will be lower than a full year's amount.

When you receive a 1098 but did not expect one

If you receive a 1098 for a loan you do not recognize or no longer have, contact the servicer listed on the form. The form may be for a loan that was paid off or transferred to another servicer. The servicer can clarify whether the loan is still active and in your name.

If you refinanced your mortgage or student loan during the year, you may receive two 1098s — one from your old servicer (for interest paid before the refinance) and one from your new servicer (for interest paid after the refinance). Both are correct. You will report the interest from both forms when you file your tax return.

Keeping records of your 1098

Save your 1098 with your tax documents for at least three years. The IRS can audit returns from the past three years, and you may need to show the form as proof of the interest you deducted. If you file electronically, you do not need to mail the form to the IRS — your tax software will reference it — but keep a copy for your records.

If you lose the form after filing, you can request a duplicate from your servicer at any time. Servicers keep records for at least seven years. You can also view your 1098 online through your servicer's website in most cases, even years after the tax year ends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my 1098 before January 31?

No. The IRS requires servicers to mail the 1098 by January 31, but they are not required to send it earlier. Some servicers mail forms in late December or early January, but you should not expect it before mid-January. If you need to file your return early, contact your servicer for an estimate of your interest paid.

What if I have multiple loans from the same servicer?

You will receive one 1098 for each loan. If you have two mortgages with the same servicer, you get two separate forms. Each form shows the interest for that specific loan. Report the interest from each form on your tax return.

Do I need the 1098 to deduct mortgage interest?

The IRS receives a copy of your 1098 automatically, so you do not need to mail it with your return. However, you should have it available if the IRS asks about your deduction. If the form does not arrive, you can file using your monthly statements as proof of the interest you paid.

What if the 1098 shows the wrong amount of interest?

Contact your servicer and ask them to review the calculation. Errors can happen if payments were applied incorrectly or if the servicer has the wrong loan balance. Ask them to send a corrected form (called a "corrected 1098") if an error is found. You can then file an amended return if needed.

Can I read my 1098 from my servicer's website instead of waiting for the mail?

Many servicers allow you to read the 1098 from your online account starting in late January. Log in and look for a "tax documents," "forms," or "1098" section. This is often faster than waiting for the mail and gives you the form when ready.