Do I Need Form 1098 from Mortgage Company to File Taxes? Tax Preparer Put Return on Hold

Your tax preparer is... probably being a bit too rigid here. While Form 1098 is the standard document for reporting mortgage interest, it's not strictly required if you have other documentation that shows the same information. You could potentially use your mortgage statements or year-end summary from your lender as alternative proof. That said, most preparers prefer the official form because it makes their job easier and reduces audit risk.

Tax professional here. In most cases, you should be able to obtain a digital copy of your Form 1098 by logging into your mortgage servicer's online portal. Generally speaking, mortgage companies make these documents available electronically by January 31st each year. If you don't have online access, you might want to call their customer service line - they can typically email you a copy or expedite a new paper form within 5-7 business days. Your tax preparer is likely following best practices by requesting the official form, as it contains specific information that might not be fully reflected in regular statements.

Oh my goodness, I went through EXACTLY this last year! My husband is also military, and we had moved twice within 12 months. I was so frustrated when our tax person wouldn't proceed without the 1098! What finally worked was calling the mortgage company directly and explaining the situation. I was literally in tears on the phone, but they were able to email me a PDF version within 24 hours. The mortgage interest deduction made a HUGE difference for us - almost $4,000 in tax savings - so it was definitely worth the hassle!

As someone who just went through this process for the first time, I understand the anxiety about missing tax documents. When I couldn't get through to my mortgage servicer's customer service line after multiple attempts, I used Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) to connect with an actual representative. The service basically navigates phone trees and waits on hold for you, then calls you when a human picks up. I was connected within 20 minutes after spending days trying on my own. The representative was able to email my 1098 immediately. Might be worth trying if you're running into walls with customer service.

Here's a step-by-step approach to resolve your situation: 1. First, log into your mortgage company's online portal - most lenders provide electronic access to tax documents 2. If you can't access online, call their customer service and request an immediate email copy of your Form 1098 3. If they can't help, ask them to confirm the exact mortgage interest paid for 2023 and get that in writing (email confirmation) 4. Take this confirmation to your tax preparer - technically, this should be sufficient documentation 5. If your preparer still refuses, you have two options: - Request they file an extension for you while you obtain the document - Consider using a different tax preparer who will accept alternative documentation Remember: The IRS allows for reasonable documentation alternatives when official forms aren't available. Military families with frequent relocations have some additional flexibility in documentation requirements.

According to the IRS website (https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc504), you technically don't need Form 1098 to claim mortgage interest deduction. The form is an information return that lenders are required to send both to you and the IRS. If you don't have it, you can still claim the deduction if you can prove the interest paid. Most mortgage statements show YTD interest paid, especially December statements. Print those out and bring them to your tax preparer. If they still refuse, you might want to try a different preparer or use tax software that doesn't arbitrarily require the actual form.

I remember when I was stationed at Camp Pendleton and had a similar issue with missing tax documents. I figured I'd just file without claiming the mortgage interest deduction and then amend later when I got the form. BIG mistake. The amendment process took almost 8 months, and I ended up missing out on using that refund money when I needed it. If I were you, I'd do everything possible to get that 1098 now, even if it means pushing your preparer to file an extension. The military extension gives you until October, but that doesn't help if you're counting on that refund money sooner.