CAN I STILL CLAIM MORTGAGE INTEREST AND PROPERTY TAXES IF I STOPPED PAYING MY MORTGAGE

[kandy6033]

THE BANK TOOK OVER PAYMENTS FOR ME

[HelenC12]

No, the tax code allows you to deduct the mortgage interest you actually paid. You can deduct the mortgage interest that you paid prior to the bank taking over your payments. 

The same is true for property taxes. If your property taxes were escrowed, you could deduct the escrowed property taxes that were paid to your taxing authority.