Debt Forgiveness Can Bite Come Tax Time

By Cornelius Nunev


Debt forgiveness is an excellent thing for many people, as it means less than the complete of a debt has been compensated though the debt has been satisfied. However, it's regarded as taxable income and the mistake of a debt forgiveness tax break for foreclosures or short sales of homes is set to bite some working class individuals.

Adds up as income

Millions of people breathe sighs of relief each year when granted debt forgiveness. Also called debt relief, debt cancellation, it's where a loans lender of some sort, like a credit card business, mortgage lender or whomever, agrees to forgive a debt if the borrower agrees to pay off a portion, typically on a condensed payment schedule.

On the subject of debt forgiveness, the Wall Street Journal reports that many people will be annoyed to hear the government considers that income. It is technically a bonus towards petty cash and income, which means it is taxable.

Consumers have to report the cash on their tax forms with the form 1099 C, which forgiving lenders must give out.

A couple hundred thousand in a mortgage

Debt forgiveness taxes could be a real kick in the nether regions when linked to mortgage loans. When a home loan lender forecloses on a house and either forgives the debt, reduces the principle or agrees to a short sale, the fair industry value and pardoned debt for the home have to be reported on a 1099 C. However, the tax on it, for some, is exempted for the moment.

Anybody in the Home Affordable Modification Program, or HAMP, could avoid paying taxes on the reduction or modification of their home loan, according to a 2007 law called the Home loan Forgiveness Debt Relief Act. It also helped people who were foreclosed on from dealing with extra taxes.

It does not consist of any second-home mortgages, though it does consist of all primary residences, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Last year expiration

When the fiscal cliff negotiations were taking place, it included the program. It will still expire in 2014 unless extended though. Homeowners should take advantage of claiming the pardoned home loan right now if they can to avoid paying taxes on it. Pardoned homeowners do have three years to pay the taxes, so at least there is there.

Over 1 million 1099 C forms were filed in 2003 with the Internal Revenue Service. In 2013, that is expected to be 6.5 million. There is more debt cancelation occurring now more than ever, according to Creditcards.com.




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