The bank will send a 1098 even if you paid less than $600 interest. You may also be able to find the document online at your bank's website. The question regarding the mortgage balance is asking the balance as of 01/01/2020, the beginning of 2020, not the end of 2020.
Your outstanding mortgage principal balance (Box 2) is the amount of money you still owe on your home loan as of 01/01/2020. If you paid off the mortgage during 2020, the 1098 will tell you the balance as of 01/01/20, which will not be 0. @AC191
**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post
**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"
