{"id":14231,"date":"2023-11-14T16:18:05","date_gmt":"2023-11-14T22:18:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/?p=14231"},"modified":"2025-06-06T10:43:20","modified_gmt":"2025-06-06T16:43:20","slug":"debt-forgiveness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/finance\/debt-forgiveness.html","title":{"rendered":"What is debt forgiveness?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"570\" height=\"190\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/man-checking-papers-finance-office.jpg\" alt=\"A man checks financial papers.\" class=\"wp-image-14232\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, act as legal, financial or credit advice. <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/disclaimer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>See Lexington Law\u2019s editorial disclosure for more information.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-22430b8108c932e93d932538bc1532be\" style=\"background-color:#00204f\">Debt forgiveness occurs when a lender forgives either a portion of or the entire debt owed by a borrower from a loan or credit account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Debt forgiveness occurs when a portion of a loan or the entire remaining amount of a loan or credit line is canceled, relieving the borrower from the obligation of repayment. Before moving forward with debt forgiveness, it\u2019s important to consider the potential benefits and drawbacks so that you\u2019re fully prepared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s also important to note that debt forgiveness differs from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/credit-cards\/debt-relief.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">debt relief<\/a>, which involves reorganizing debt to facilitate repayment\u2014but doesn\u2019t cancel the debt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Continue reading to learn more about debt forgiveness and explore different options that you may qualify for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-debt-forgiveness-benefits\">Debt forgiveness benefits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Debt forgiveness can provide relief to those who are struggling to make payments, and it has the following benefits:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>You can avoid filing for bankruptcy: <\/strong>Debt forgiveness can prevent the need to file for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/finance\/what-is-bankruptcy.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">bankruptcy<\/a>, which would severely damage your credit for up to seven to 10 years.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>You can pay less than your original obligation: <\/strong>While the amount you\u2019ll pay varies depending on the program you choose, it is typically much less than the amount you originally owed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>You can pay your debts quicker:<\/strong> Through debt forgiveness, you can significantly reduce your debt in a much shorter time frame than you initially expected.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-debt-forgiveness-drawbacks\">Debt forgiveness drawbacks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other hand, debt forgiveness has the following downsides that you should be aware of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>You may owe taxes on the amount that\u2019s forgiven: <\/strong>In general, canceled debt is considered taxable income that you may be responsible to cover.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>You could owe more than your original obligation: <\/strong>Many debt relief companies charge excessive fees that could equal or exceed the amount you originally owed. Additionally, it\u2019s important to change your financial habits so you don\u2019t continue to rack up debt.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Your credit may take a hit:<\/strong> Depending on the type of debt that\u2019s forgiven, you could notice a negative effect on your credit. However, this will likely not be the case if the debt in question is student loans or medical bills.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Because of these drawbacks, you may want to consider other debt management options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-debt-forgiveness-vs-debt-consolidation\">Debt forgiveness vs. debt consolidation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>An alternative to debt forgiveness that you may want to consider is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/loans\/what-is-debt-consolidation-loan.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">debt consolidation<\/a>. While this method doesn\u2019t cancel the debt, it can help you pay it off faster and accrue fewer interest charges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"966\" height=\"578\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-14.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20021\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-14.png 966w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-14-768x460.png 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 767px) 600px, calc(100vw - 35px)\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most common debt consolidation methods is a balance transfer, which involves moving debt to a new credit card that offers 0% APR for a few months. During this time, you can work to pay off your debt without racking up interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other options include taking out a personal loan or home equity loan to pay off your debt. The strategy here is that your new loan would have a lower rate than that of your current debt, allowing you to save on interest<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just be wary of for-profit companies that promise debt relief via consolidation, as they\u2019re often pricey. Instead, look to nonprofits such as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nfcc.org\/who-we-are\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Foundation for Credit Counseling<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-get-debt-forgiveness\">How to get debt forgiveness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re moving forward with debt forgiveness, you have a few options depending on loan type and your overall personal and financial situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-federal-programs\">Federal programs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the few ways to get true debt forgiveness without consequences is to see if you\u2019re eligible for a special program. Typically, these are only offered for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/loans\/average-student-loan-debt.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">student loan debt<\/a> and home mortgages:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Student loan forgiveness:<\/strong> In mid-2023, student loans totaled <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/credit-repair\/student-loan-debt-statistics.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">$1.7 trillion<\/a>. To help alleviate this, the <a href=\"https:\/\/studentaid.gov\/manage-loans\/forgiveness-cancellation\/public-service\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program<\/a> provides Direct Loan forgiveness for full-time workers of U.S.-based or non-profit organizations who have made 120 qualified monthly payments. Another type of student loan forgiveness is <a href=\"https:\/\/studentaid.gov\/manage-loans\/repayment\/plans\/income-driven\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">income-driven repayment plans<\/a>, which forgive the remaining loan balance at the end of a repayment period. Thirdly, if you\u2019re a teacher, you may be eligible for a <a href=\"https:\/\/studentaid.gov\/manage-loans\/forgiveness-cancellation\/teacher\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Teacher Loan Forgiveness<\/a> program.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mortgage debt forgiveness:<\/strong> The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/newsroom\/home-foreclosure-and-debt-cancellation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mortgage Forgiveness and Debt Relief Act<\/a>, enacted in 2007, lets eligible borrowers exclude up to two million dollars in forgiven mortgage debt from their taxable income. This allows forgiven mortgage debt and foreclosure balances to be truly penalty-free.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You may be eligible for other federal programs to help manage debt. To explore your options further, the Federal Trade Commission has guidelines for <a href=\"https:\/\/consumer.ftc.gov\/articles\/how-get-out-debt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">getting out of debt<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1023\" height=\"815\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-13.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20020\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-13.png 1023w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-13-768x612.png 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 767px) 600px, calc(100vw - 35px)\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-settlement\">Settlement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Settlement is by far the most common form of debt forgiveness. It\u2019s the process of negotiating your debt to only repay a portion of your outstanding balance. The rest is forgiven, meaning repayment is not necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Borrowers tend to choose <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/education\/debt-settlement\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">debt settlement<\/a> if they can\u2019t afford expensive and persistent debt payments. They may also choose this route as an alternative to declaring bankruptcy, since debt settlement should only stay on your credit report for seven years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, it\u2019s important to watch out for hefty fees from these companies. If hiring a debt settlement agent is beyond your means, keep in mind that negotiating on your own is an option. First, you\u2019ll need to determine your outstanding balance and what monthly payment you can afford. Next, contact your creditor. You\u2019ll need to explain why you can no longer afford the loan and then negotiate a lump sum. If they agree, ask for a written letter so you have legal proof of the settlement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-statute-of-limitations\">Statute of limitations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re seeking debt forgiveness for credit card debt, you may be able to leverage the statute of limitations (SOL) in your state. The SOL is applicable once a certain amount of time has passed (typically three to 15 years depending on what state you live in) and your debt collector hasn\u2019t pursued debt collection in court. After this time frame, they have no legal claim to your money, and they should no longer be able to successfully sue you to collect the debt. However, this approach is risky for a number of reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>SOL start to accrue after the date of last activity, which includes payments and charges. After your SOL expires, a lawsuit can still be filed against you\u2014but you can use the SOL as a defense in court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-bankruptcy\">Bankruptcy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Filing for bankruptcy is an option and that decision will remain on your credit report from seven to ten years. That said, it may help forgive some of your debt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you file for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/life-events\/chapter-7-bankruptcy.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Chapter 7 bankruptcy<\/a>, your debt is forgiven and some of your assets remain with you subject to certain state and federal exemptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you file for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/life-events\/chapter-13-bankruptcy.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Chapter 13 bankruptcy<\/a>, you\u2019re still required to pay off your debts. However, the court will assign you a payment plan spanning anywhere from three to five years, and they may reduce your outstanding balance to lessen the financial burden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-are-the-consequences-of-debt-forgiveness\">What are the consequences of debt forgiveness?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After you have a portion of your debt forgiven, you may feel like you\u2019re out of the woods\u2014and for the most part, that\u2019s true. However, there are a few circumstances you\u2019ll need to be aware of so that you\u2019re prepared for the effects debt forgiveness may have on your finances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-taxes\">Taxes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No matter which debt forgiveness route you take (with the exception of bankruptcy), you\u2019ll likely end up with a higher taxable income. If the amount of forgiven debt exceeds $600, you\u2019ll receive a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/forms-pubs\/about-form-1099-c\">1099-C form<\/a> titled \u201cCancellation of Debt\u201d from the creditor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1027\" height=\"466\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-12.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20019\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-12.png 1027w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-12-768x348.png 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 767px) 600px, calc(100vw - 35px)\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>With this form, you report the amount of your forgiven debt to the IRS and pay income tax on it. When you first take out a loan or borrow money, you\u2019re not charged taxes on it because there\u2019s the assumption that you\u2019ll pay it back. But after debt forgiveness, that assumption no longer applies, which is why this essentially \u201cfree money\u201d is now considered taxable income.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The upside is that the income tax you owe on the forgiven debt amount is less than what you would have to pay if you still owed the debt. Make sure to plan for this expense so that it doesn\u2019t surprise you, especially if the forgiven amount is sizable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Consider contacting a qualified tax professional for help accurately filing your taxes. Then, once you properly report your debt forgiveness to the IRS, you\u2019ll want to check your credit report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-credit-score\">Credit score<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The unfortunate reality is that debt forgiveness may negatively affect your credit score. Of course, there is no way to say for sure. What will improve is your debt to income ratio. &nbsp;The effect to which debt forgiveness impacts your credit largely depends on how you choose to seek debt forgiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1029\" height=\"466\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-11.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20018\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-11.png 1029w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-11-768x348.png 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 767px) 600px, calc(100vw - 35px)\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Bankruptcy can be the most devastating option for your credit score. According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.debt.org\/bankruptcy\/how-will-filing-bankruptcy-impact-my-credit-score\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Debt.org<\/a>, a FICO score of 780 could take a 240-point dip, and a score of 680 could take a hit of 130 \u2013 150 points. If your credit score is much lower than 680, you may not see as large of a dip. However, if you have no late payments or charge off on your credit report prior to filing bankruptcy, your score dip is far less.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Debt forgiveness provides a much-needed solution for borrowers struggling to make payments. However, it also comes with conditions. When considering which debt management plan is right for you, a little careful planning can go a long way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If overwhelming debt has caused your credit to dip below where you\u2019d like it to be, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/credit-help\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">see if we could help<\/a>. We can take a look at your credit report and assist you with moving forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em><a aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/lexingtonlaw.com\/disclaimer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Note:<\/a><\/em><\/strong><em> Articles have only been reviewed by the indicated attorney, not written by them. The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, act as legal, financial or credit advice; instead, it is for general informational purposes only. Use of, and access to, this website or any of the links or resources contained within the site do not create an attorney-client or fiduciary relationship between the reader, user, or browser and website owner, authors, reviewers, contributors, contributing firms, or their respective agents or employers.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Debt forgiveness involves a lender canceling the debt owed by a borrower from a loan or credit account. Read on to learn how to get debt forgiveness. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":63,"featured_media":14232,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[534],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v18.1 (Yoast SEO v18.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What is debt forgiveness?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Debt forgiveness involves a lender canceling the debt owed by a borrower from a loan or credit account. Read on to learn how to get debt forgiveness.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/finance\/debt-forgiveness.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What is debt forgiveness?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Debt forgiveness involves a lender canceling the debt owed by a borrower from a loan or credit account. 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