I have a "green loan" and received a 1098. Should I select it as is a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or the original loan I used to buy the home? Neither is right.

[KrisD · Accepted solution]

The criteria for the loan may be different, but the interest is treated the same. If the loan is secured by your home, and was used to purchase, build, or improve the loan, it's reportable. 

If the loan IS secured by the home, is it the original loan or did you have a loan on the house before you obtained the green loan? If it is not the original loan, it is considered a HELOC.

Because of the change in tax laws, the program is trying to determine

a) your debt total

b) the status of the loan, original or refinanced. Any loan not original is a refinance or HELOC. Even if the loan was taken out to build a garage, if the loan is secured by the house, the lender would write it up as a refi/HELOC because you are not making a new purchase of the house.