What Is Cancellation of Debt and How Does It Work?

Debt is most often referred to as an amount of money owed to another person. However, debt can be anything of value to the borrower. Canceling debt is forgiving or discharging the obligation for less than is owed. In essence, the creditor releases the borrower from repayment.

If a person borrows money and is legally obligated to repay, the borrower becomes personally liable for that debt. Cancellation comes in many forms, from small claims, bankruptcy, debt agreement, and complete cancellation.

It feels great to have a debt settled, canceled, or forgiven. Knowing there is a way out of debt will often remove a massive weight from anyone’s shoulders. Of course, there are always tax implications when it comes to money, and the IRS will consider canceled debt as income.

When to Use Tax Form 1099-C for Cancellation of Debt?

1099-C is a form each creditor sends to the borrower if more than $600 has been canceled on an account or if the following two conditions exist.

1. You are an applicable financial entity means if a creditor has canceled or discharged the debt, you must include the amount as income. There are exceptions and exclusions, such as filing for bankruptcy or insolvency. 
2. An identifiable event for the IRS means an agreement between you and a bank, debt relief from probate, or several other life events.

How Does Cancelled Debt Affect Taxes?

Two fundamental questions need to be answered when a borrower goes into default on their financial obligations. Circumstances should dictate how deep into cancellation, discharge, or bankruptcy a person should go. 

A borrower must pay taxes on $600 more than the amount forgiven. Debt forgiveness is considered income by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the “other income” line is used to pay the standard rate. 

For example, “You earn $50,000 and have $10,000 canceled; your rate is 22% or $2,200 on the portion of your gross income from the debt cancellation.”

Debt cancellation and discharge are always associated with delinquent personal and credit card accounts. Canceling debt by a settlement company or on your own will wreak havoc on your credit. Charge-offs and canceled debt stay on a bureau for a solid seven years. Deep-pocketed retailers can ruin a credit file for a lot of years.

Any settled account stays on the credit file and is listed as “settled.” 

Some credit settlement companies require the borrower to stop making payments on any account the firm controls. Stopping payments on credit accounts will bring down your score.

How Do Debt Relief Companies Work?

Debt settlement companies negotiate on behalf of a borrower with too much debt and need help. These are lump sum settlements for less than you owe. While settlement is better than a charge-off, your credit will be negatively affected. A common myth; canceled debt comes off your credit bureau; it does not. 

Make sure you find a company accredited by the American Fair Credit Council. Cost is between 15% and 25% with small, complicated accounts receiving the higher rate. Any company should be fully transparent about its pricing and process.

Debt collection companies can be notorious for hidden and pop-up fees from the collection firm and creditors. Another factor to consider, settlement companies always resolve small accounts first. This oversight leaves fees and interest stacking up on larger creditors.

Always be cautious with these companies. Looking for a reputable company needs to be the first step after the decision has been made to get help. A unique and different view comes from Nolo TenantNet, a New York tenant information portal:

What debt collectors don’t want you to know?

Ten best-kept collection secrets.

1. The More You Pay, the More They Earn. ...
2. Payment Deadlines Are Phony. ...
3. They Don’t Need a ‘Financial Statement’...
4. The Threats Are Inflated. ...
5. You Can Stop Their Calls. ...
6. They Can Find Out How Much You Have in the Bank. ...
7. If You’re Out of State, They’re Out of Luck.

What are Debt Cancellation Agreements?

A debt cancellation agreement states that the holder of a loan note or paper agrees to cancel all or part of a loan due to a borrower’s change in circumstance. Smaller debt between acquaintances, parents, and children can be settled quickly. However, a document “in writing” should always state the cancellation terms. 

Another option for the borrower, aside from the debt cancellation firms, would be “going it on your own.” Money can be saved if you have the experience and toughness to battle each of your creditors for a settlement. Again, depending on the circumstance and the borrower’s intestinal fortitude, get organized and fight everything.

There are many debt cancellation agreements floating on the internet. Pay a few dollars for a customized document from online firms such as LawDepot, LegalZoom, and Rocket Lawyer. 

The most important document that will attach to the process is the settlement agreement. There are plenty of existing agreements that could be used as a template. The overall format and wording need to be succinct and to the point. No extraneous words that could later be used in a dispute.

A popular question always asked; can I cancel part of my automobile loan? Only if it is totaled or stolen. Borrowers should always ask their “automobile loan officer” about gap insurance or debt cancellation agreements. Gap contracts cover the amount a borrower owes to the vehicle’s actual cash value.

To Wrap Up

Canceling debt, dealing with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the endless details can pull life in every direction. If you find yourself with overwhelming debt, it is in the best interest of everyone to face it head-on and decide early on your direction. The sooner, the better.

With banks and credit card companies, find out who can decide to cancel debt. Always try to make an opening offer; find out “if and by how much” they are willing to negotiate. No settlement will be given if the creditor feels you can pay the debt. 

Try to meet in the middle with creditors and look at all options to settle the debt, including cancellation. Never jump on the first offer!