I took a new mortgage in 2016 to buy my currently residing home. The taxes paid on 1098 from the lender is $4495, Should I include Initial Escrow payment in addition?

[manojmenon123]

Initial Escrow Payment of $4200 on Closing Disclosure statement. Should I include $4495 or a total of $8695?

[Lilly Peck]

The amount reported on the 1098 is the amount you can deduct. The escrow was essentially a down payment on the house.