Can I enter 0 in Box2 info from 1098 (HELOC) if the origination date was in 2017 and the outstanding balance at 1/1/18 was 0?

[dshintani]

My HELOC has an origination date in 2017 and did not have a balance until June 2018.  I am unable to enter 0 in Box2 when filling out for my 1098.  What should be entered?

[KrisD]

No, that won't make sense to the program. If you finished the paperwork in 2017, but did not start using the loan until 2018, 

enter 0 in box 2 for the 01.01.2018 balance and 01.02.2018 for the origination date in Box 3. 

The program won't like 0 in box 2 but if you enter a 2018 origination date you can move forward and it's the only way you can move forward without a balance carried forward from 2017.