The lender must send you a statement of interest paid every year. Lenders have no control over your tax return; that is your responsibility.

If you actually paid …….. No they can’t.
It’s your’s to have and to hold (question)
If you are broke, what does it matter.

Some people attempt to deduct interest that they should have paid during the default period, but didn’t actually fork out and IRS ain’t buying it.

Oh yes. In some cases the IRS will come after you for the amount, if the property is sold with equity to you.

total intrest is deductable if you itemize.