Do I have to attach a written statement to that effect? I'm including the "Additional Information" page for Schedule A: Itemized deductions that lists the name of the person who appears first on the mortgage. But they are not taking any deductions for the mortgage. Does a hand-written note suffice? Is it even necessary?
No do not include a note. It will not be read. Just file your tax return and if the IRS wants additional information from you they will send you a request for the information via a letter.
@Midge5 , agreeing with my colleague @xmasbaby0 , just wanted to point out that while the persons ( names ) that show on the loan docs are individually and severally responsible for the payment of the loan, ONLY the person (/s) paying the mortgage is ( /are ) eligible to claim the interest payment as a deduction on Schedule-A.
For what it's worth, the desktop version of TT has a box you can check if your name is not listed first on the 1098. If you check the box, a page opens on which you enter the other taxpayer's info. Also, if the interest you claim is different than the amount on the 1098, TT takes you to a page on which you can enter a text explanation.
I don't know if the online version has these features.
@TomD8 wrote:For what it's worth, the desktop version of TT has a box you can check if your name is not listed first on the 1098. If you check the box, a page opens on which you enter the other taxpayer's info. Also, if the interest you claim is different than the amount on the 1098, TT takes you to a page on which you can enter a text explanation.
Yep, that should move the deduction to line 8b on Schedule A. I think that is the correct way to do it, even though both names are on the 1098 (but you are listed second).
If the shared interest was reported on the other person's Form 1098, report your share of the interest on line 8b (as explained in Line 8b, later).
https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i1040sca#en_US_2022_publink100019390