Student Loan Forgiveness Resumes With Key Tax Exemption for Borrowers
The Department of Education has confirmed the resumption of student loan forgiveness for eligible borrowers under Income-Based Repayment (IBR), Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR), and Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) plans. Discharges processed in 2025 or later will not incur federal taxes, regardless of when the loans are formally discharged.
This policy clarification stems from a recent settlement agreement. The effective date for tax-free treatment aligns with when borrowers first qualify for forgiveness under their income-driven repayment plan—not the processing date. Nearly 8 million borrowers could benefit from this provision.