Independent form guide. BrieflyGo is not affiliated with or endorsed by IRS, USCIS, SSA, DOL, or any U.S. government agency. Official forms are sourced from public government websites.
Official form guide
Form 1098-ET: IRS Form 1098-ET
Form 1098-ET is a Mortgage Interest Statement used to report the amount of mortgage interest paid during a calendar year. It is necessary when you need documentation for your tax filing.
Need help with Form 1098-ET?
Open it in the AI Editor for field guidance, checks, and PDF export.
Need help? AI Editor guides you through every field of Form 1098-ET.
Start filling →Form Overview
IRS Form 1098-ET - 1098-ET
Form 1098-ET is a Mortgage Interest Statement used to report the amount of mortgage interest paid during a calendar year. It is necessary when you need documentation for your tax filing.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Ensure the year of issuance matches the tax year you are filing for.
- 2Mismatch between lender name and recipient name.
- 3Incorrectly reported mortgage interest amount.
- 4Filing the statement from a different year.
- 5Missing or illegible identification numbers (e.g., loan number).
Plain English
This form tells you how much interest you paid on your home loan this year. You use it when filing your taxes to claim that interest as a deduction. It confirms the details of your mortgage payments.
Submission Date
- Filing date: 2026-03-25 08:10:40
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
AI co-pilot
Fill it faster. Catch mistakes before you file.
What this form is for
- Use this form when you need proof of mortgage interest paid for tax filing.
- Do not use this form if you are reporting principal payments only, or if you have no mortgage interest to report.
- Check Form 1098-E if the lender is using an older version.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Paying interest on a second home
This form covers general mortgage interest; check for specific property reporting.
✓ Verify the property description matches your records.
Interest paid on a HELOC/Line of Credit
While 1098-ET is primary, some lenders use 1098-E to capture this detail.
✓ Confirm the interest amount listed aligns with your year-end statements.
Not receiving a 1098-ET
The lender must issue it annually for tax purposes.
✓ Check if you need to request it or if they mailed it late.
Interest paid but no mortgage (e.g., loan payment)
Use the general statement unless specifically designated as a 'Mortgage Interest Statement'.
✓ Ensure the form title explicitly states 'Mortgage Interest Statement'.
Deadline or filing window
There is no single submission deadline for this form itself. However, it must be received by you before you file your tax return to ensure proper credit.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Total Mortgage Interest Paid
The dollar amount of interest paid during the calendar year. · Box 1 (usually)
Principal Payments
The total principal portion paid on the mortgage. · Box 2 (usually)
Mortgage Balance End of Year
The outstanding loan balance as of December 31st. · Box 3 (usually)
Lender/Payer Information
Name and TIN of the entity reporting the interest. · Top of Form
Before you submit
- 1Confirm the form is dated for the correct calendar year.
- 2Verify the lender's name and TIN are printed accurately.
- 3Check that the interest amount (Box 1) matches your mortgage statement totals.
- 4Ensure principal payments (Box 2) are recorded correctly.
- 5Review the end-of-year balance (Box 3).
- 6Look for any handwritten corrections; ensure they are initialed.
- 7Confirm the form is signed or electronically marked as complete.
- 8Check that the payer's mailing address is present.
How to file this form
- 1Gather all required supporting documentation, primarily this Form 1098-ET.
- 2Complete any necessary fields manually if the lender provided a blank copy.
- 3Mail the form to the correct IRS service center listed on the document.
- 4Alternatively, upload the PDF/image via the IRS Get Transcript or e-file portal.
- 5Retain a copy of the submitted form for your records.
- 6Ensure you are filing it with the appropriate tax return (e.g., Form 1040).
Known limitations
- 1The form reports interest paid; it does not report escrow payments unless specified elsewhere on the document.
- 2It relies entirely on the lender's reporting accuracy for that specific calendar year.
- 3If you have multiple mortgages, you must file a separate 1098-ET for each one.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Payer Info
1 items
Identifying information of the business or person making the payment.
Recipient Info
1 items
Identifying information of the person or entity receiving the payment.
Amounts
1 items
The payment amount subject to reporting for the applicable box category.
Withholding
1 items
Backup withholding amount if applicable.
Signatures
1 items
Name and phone number of the person to contact about this return.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->This is the official Mortgage Interest Statement (Form 1098-ET). It reports the mortgage interest paid for a specific calendar year.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date: Check that the year matches the tax year you are filing for.
- Fee: Not clearly stated in the provided official source (usually $0.00).
- Mailing address: Verify this is the correct IRS processing center for your region.
- Signature: Confirm the lender/financial institution has signed or electronically certified it.
- Form ID Number: Ensure the form explicitly states '1098-ET'.
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Keep the original Form 1098-ET with your tax return documents.
- 2Save digital copies of the submitted form in case of an audit query.
- 3Track when you filed it (date and method) to verify timely submission.
- 4Cross-reference the reported interest amount with your bank statements one more time after filing.
Sources
- SRCForm Name: Form 1098-ET
- SRCPurpose: Reports mortgage interest paid for tax filing.
- SRCType: Mortgage Interest Statement
- SRCPrimary Use Case: Documentation for Tax Filing (IRS)
- SRCNot clearly stated in the provided official source: Specific Box definitions beyond general description.
- SRCNot clearly stated in the provided official source: Current year edition date.
Common confusion points
Form Version Date
The IRS updates this form periodically, changing the layout or instructions slightly.
→ Check the top right corner to confirm you have the most current edition.
Interest Paid vs. Principal Paid
Users often confuse these two amounts when reviewing the statement.
→ Verify that the amount listed under 'Mortgage Interest Paid' matches what your lender reported for tax purposes.
Reporting Year Discrepancy
The form covers a specific calendar year, but the filing date might be later.
→ Ensure the 'Year' box on the 1098-ET matches the tax year you are currently preparing to file for.
Lender Information Mismatch
The name and address listed must match your mortgage account documentation exactly.
→ Compare the lender's name/address on the form against your most recent monthly statement.
Missing Loan Number
If the loan number field is blank, it might be an error or specific to a certain lending setup.
→ Confirm with your lender if the loan number listed matches the one on your mortgage payment history.
Taxpayer Name Format
Some lenders list the name as 'John A Smith' while others use 'Smith, John A'.
→ Ensure the name on the form matches how you have listed it on your tax return (e.g., Schedule 1).
Interest vs. Total Payments
Users sometimes confuse the interest portion with the total amount paid toward the mortgage.
→ Confirm that the 'Total Payments' figure is higher than the 'Mortgage Interest Paid' figure.
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
Before
Current
After
Often used with
⚠ If something goes wrong
- Contact Lender/Servicer
Questions about IRS Form 1098-ET
What is IRS Form 1098-ET used for?
This form tells you how much interest you paid on your home loan this year. You use it when filing your taxes to claim that interest as a deduction. It confirms the details of your mortgage payments.
Who must file IRS Form 1098-ET?
The lender or mortgage servicer files this form.
What information does IRS Form 1098-ET require?
It captures the total amount of mortgage interest paid and identifies the payer and recipient.
When is IRS Form 1098-ET due?
Lenders typically send this form out near the end of January for the previous tax year.
Where do I file IRS Form 1098-ET?
You receive it directly from your lender, or they may mail it to you. You use this information when filing with the IRS.
How do I complete IRS Form 1098-ET?
First, locate the Form 1098-ET from your lender. Second, verify that your name and address match the statement. Third, confirm the total mortgage interest amount listed. Finally, use these figures when completing your tax return.
What happens if IRS Form 1098-ET is filed incorrectly?
Inaccurate data can lead to incorrect tax liability calculations. The IRS relies on this form for verification.
Form Version Date — what should I check?
The IRS updates this form periodically, changing the layout or instructions slightly. Check the top right corner to confirm you have the most current edition.
Source transparency
Copyright & Licensing - US Government Forms
BrieflyGo links to and explains official public form sources. We are not a government agency, and this page is for general form guidance, not legal advice.
Understand the agreement before you sign it.
Review risky clauses in plain English, fix the document, and keep it moving toward signature.