The interest paid on our 1098 was for a construction loan. How do we know what the exact balance was as of 1/1/2019?

[Opus 17]

You would have to check your account balance online or call your bank.

[Carl]

If you acquired the loan after 1/1/2019, then the balance on 1/1/2019 was ZERO. If acquired before 1/1/2019, you'll have to call the lender for that information if you can't find it in your online access to the loan.