KrisD
Intuit Alumni

Deductions & credits

Because of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, home mortgage has new regulations in order to be deductible, and the reporting instructions for the 1098 have changed. I don't think the lender reported your 1098 correctly. 

In your situation, in order to make the program compute your deductible home mortgage interest properly, AND not indicate you went above the allowable debt limit, enter the older lender first and select Yes to  "Was this loan paid off or refinanced with a different lender in 2018?".

Next enter the newer lender, leave Box 2 blank and enter a 2018 origination date. (yes, like 1/2/2018)

The program might show an error about a blank Box 2 at first, but if you enter a 2018 origination date, you can move forward. 

Answer "Yes" to "Is this loan a home equity line of credit or a loan you've ever refinanced?" and answer the following interview questions. 

Answer the questions in this section carefully, paying more attention to the use of the loan than the origination date. 

If you simply refinanced, all the interest should be deductible.

If you refinanced, took out cash and used the cash to improve the home, all the interest should be deductible.

If you refinanced, took out cash and used the cash FOR SOMETHING OTHER THAN to improve the home, the deductible interest will be limited. 

Keep a copy of the 1098's with your tax file. 

https://www.irs.gov/publications/p936

 


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