Who sends out the 1098 tax form?

Form 1098 [Mortgage Interest Statement] is sent by those who are engaged in a trade or business. In the course of this trade or business, they receive from any individual $600 or more of mortgage interest on any one mortgage during the calendar year. For example, a governmental agency receiving $600 or more in mortgage interest from any individual would be required to send Form 1098 to that individual. Another example would be a real estate developer who provides financing to an individual to buy a home in the developer's subdivision and that home is security for the financing.