Unmarried couple bought a house and file separately. Who should claim mortgage deductions?

[molly-e-mattson]

My fiancé and I are unmarried, but just bought our first home together on 12/30/16. WHO should file our mortgage/property info? In 2016 he worked full-time while I was a student and worked part-time last year. If one of us is to claim it all, it should be him, right? BUT do we legally need to split the numbers and each simply claim half, since we file separately and both paid similar amounts for closing?

[TomD8]

The general rule is that you can't claim a deduction for something you didn't pay.  You can split the mortgage deductions 50/50 if they were paid out of a joint account.  Otherwise, technically you should divide according to who paid what.

Once you're married, this won't be an issue if you file a joint return.

Remember, the only deductible expenses on a personal residence are mortgage interest, property taxes, mortgage insurance (PMI), and points.  Other closing costs are not deductible.

[molly-e-mattson]

We do not have a joint account, but we did pay 50/50. Does this mean we should both claim half of the applicable amounts?
Thank you!

[TomD8]

Yes.