Trying to pay off debt can be challenging. You may feel like you’re stuck in a never-ending cycle of making payments, but never getting any closer to becoming debt-free. If you’re having trouble repaying your debts, you should consider debt forgiveness. But what is debt forgiveness?
Debt forgiveness is the cancellation of a borrower’s debt obligation. This could be partial where a lender agrees to accept less than the full amount owed. Also, it can be full cancellation, where a lender cancels the entire debt.
Debt cancellation is considered for several reasons such as, when the borrower is unable to repay the debt. Also, it is a way for the lender to get rid of a debt that’s unlikely to be repaid.
How Does Cancellation of Debt Work?
Debt cancellation lenders will assess your eligibility by looking at factors such as:
- Debt-to-income ratio: This is a key factor that lenders will look at to determine if you’re eligible for cancellation of debt. Your debt-to-income ratio is the amount of debt you have divided by your income. A higher debt-to-income ratio means you have a harder time making your monthly payments.
- Financial hardship: Lenders will want to see that you’re experiencing financial hardship, such as a job loss or medical bills.
- Income: You’ll likely need to be low-income to qualify. That is, your income must be below a certain threshold set by the lender.
- Debts: You’ll need to have a certain amount of debt, usually $10,000 or more, to qualify. This can vary by lender and it includes a combination of several debts such as credit card debt, student loans, medical bills, and personal loans.
If you do qualify for the program, the lender will send you a form “1099-C”. The form is used to report canceled debt to the IRS and show the amount of debt that was forgiven.
Forgiveness of debt is available for unsecured debt, like credit cards and personal loans. For secured debt, like a mortgage or car loan, it is much harder to come by programs that allow for it. If you default on secured debt, the lender repossesses or foreclose on the asset used as collateral.
Types of Debt Cancellation Programs
There are different types of programs that you can qualify for. They include:
- Student Loan
This is available to borrowers who have student loans. You must make 120 qualifying payments while working full-time to qualify. After 10 years of payments, the loan balance can be forgiven.
- Credit Card
The credit card issuer agrees to cancel all or part of your debt. This is only an option if you have informed a debt settlement company about your inability to repay the loan.
- Teacher Loan Forgiveness (TLF) Program
The Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program is available to teachers who work in low-income schools or educational service agencies. You must have taught full-time for five consecutive years to qualify.
The Pros and Cons of Debt Cancellation
It’s crucial to weigh the pros and cons before settling for it.
Pros
- Helps you get out of debt sooner: Debt cancellation can provide some much-needed relief if you’re struggling to repay your debt. To see if you qualify for debt relief programs and get help out of debt, consult the experts at www.freedomdebtrelief.com.
- Prevents bankruptcy: If you’re facing bankruptcy, debt cancellation may be a better option. It won’t have the same negative impact on your credit score as bankruptcy.
- Improves your financial situation: If a large portion of your debt is forgiven, it can have a positive impact on your financial situation. This can free up some extra money each month that you can use to improve your financial wellbeing.
Cons
- It is taxable income: This means that you may have to pay taxes on the amount of debt that’s forgiven.
- Impacts your credit score: While debt cancellation won’t have the same negative effect on your credit score as bankruptcy, it can still impact your score. This is because it is reported to the credit bureaus as “settled for less than the full balance.”
- It is not for everyone: Not everyone will qualify for debt cancellation. For example, if you have private student loans, you’re not eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
What Are the Alternatives to Debt Cancellation?
Cancellation of debt is not an option in cases where the debt is non-negotiable or the lender does not use the approach. In such instances, you should consider alternatives such as:
- Debt Consolidation
Debt consolidation is the process of combining multiple debts into a single debt. This can be done by taking out a new loan to pay off existing debts, or by transferring balances from multiple credit cards to a single card. Debt consolidation can be a helpful way to manage debt, as it can make payments more manageable and get you a lower interest rate.
- Debt Settlement
You negotiate with your creditors to accept less than the full amount of debt that you owe. This is a good way to get out of debt if you’re unable to repay your debt in full.
- Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is a legal process that allows you to discharge your debt by selling your assets to pay off your creditors. This process is overseen by a bankruptcy court and can be initiated by either the debtor or the creditor. It should be your last resort as it will have a negative impact on your credit score and make it difficult to get loans in the future.
- DIY Negotiation
You can try to negotiate with your creditors on your own. DIY negotiation can be a good way to get out of debt if you’re able to come to an agreement with your creditors.
- Credit Counseling
This involves working with a credit counseling firm to create a debt management plan. For example, the credit counselors work with your creditors to have them accept lower payments.
Start Your Journey to a Debt-Free Life Today
Once you decide whether cancellation of debt is right for you, you can start working towards becoming debt-free. If you’re struggling to make payments, contact your creditors to explore your options. You can also work with a credit counseling firm or a debt settlement company to negotiate with your creditors on your behalf. Remember, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of debt cancellation before making a decision. This way, you can be sure that you’re making the best decision for your financial wellbeing.
