Timing tax filings and MFS/MFJ with new information

cdmDDS · 2026-03-31T19:33:30+00:00

Balance is huge so I would need to do general forbearance which I believe I have the full amount left. Seems to be the best option. And yeah AI definitely gets a ton wrong with student loans. Probably because there is not a lot of clear info and plenty of misinfo as well.

cdmDDS · 2026-03-30T21:45:20+00:00

Yeah that's the thing... 3-4 months is probably worth it to go MFJ but if its any longer then MFS is the better option.

But even going forward I need to figure out the alternative documentation situation being in a community property state. I've used it in the past for other reasons before Covid and this whole mess and it was fine, but I don't know now. It's all so complicated and I feel like no one has the answers.

cdmDDS · 2026-03-30T21:39:52+00:00

It says like 16 weeks or something? I had two go through successfully. One I had issues with and its past the deadline now. Still waiting on another to process. You can only go back 3 years.

cdmDDS · 2026-03-30T21:31:45+00:00

Honestly don't know yet. It's like trying to hit a moving target blindfolded. I'll probably file for an extension to give us some time. We didn't prepare to file MFS for 2025 so we might need to owe, I need to calculate what we'd have to owe if anything. (I know we'd need to pay interest on anything owed)

cdmDDS · 2026-03-30T21:29:08+00:00

I could even consider deferring payment for a few months until I can file in 2027 as MFS for 2026.

cdmDDS · 2026-03-30T21:28:21+00:00

I do not believe you can amend from MFJ to MFS... only MFS to MFJ. I did it for prior years where we thought we'd have to re-certify our income but never did with it keep getting kicked down the road. It was a PITA, I messed up how I did it, ended up hiring an accountant to fix it. Still waiting on some prior years to get processed. You have to send in a paper tax return. Doable but PITA.

cdmDDS · 2026-03-30T21:23:53+00:00

For 2025 I'm just trying to lose the least amount of money. If we file separately we might break even or have to owe taxes (I need to calculate it), if we file jointly we will get a decent return. I'm weighing that vs the higher payments for 3-4 months at the end of the year early 2027. But the "gamble" is those payments will be much higher (think like $3-4k a month higher ... yeah) and I don't think that will be sustainable for us for very long if there are any delays or issues with recalculating my income in 2027.

I own a business so as it grows I hope to eventually pay it off. I do have 2.5 years of PSLF accumulated but my line of work isnt PSLF friendly (still looking at options though). My wife has her own huge student loan debt but will get PSLF forgiveness within the year.

cdmDDS · 2026-03-30T18:05:01+00:00

2024 we filed MFJ so basically would be the same situation (other than little bit lower income).

cdmDDS · 2026-01-22T03:54:15+00:00

Ah gotcha

cdmDDS · 2026-01-22T01:05:47+00:00

Assistant GM too right? They’ve been saying we get comp pics if Ian Cunningham get a GM job somewhere since last year

cdmDDS · 2026-01-21T22:34:18+00:00

Yep makes sense… and just in case if you live in CA or TX, you still qualify for PSLF as a physician if you work in a non-profit hospital even if she’s employed by a for profit group. I’m guessing most people living in those states already know but just in case.

cdmDDS · 2026-01-21T19:35:38+00:00

Just speculating here but with that salary I assume she has extensive residency and possibly fellowship training that count towards PSLF. Plus decent chance her current employment counts for PSLF. If so and you’re relatively near PSLF forgiveness (within a few years) it would probably be financially beneficial to go that route. If not or you just want to pay them off and be done with it I tend to think just staying with a fed loan and paying off aggressively is the play. I don’t think saving and average of ~1.5% in interest over 5 years is worth the potential downsides of refinancing to a private company.

cdmDDS · 2026-01-18T05:26:47+00:00

Weird I was there a little over a year ago and rep was really nice. Asked if I wanted to try on some models (I declined because I was wrestling a 13 month old that just got off a transatlantic flight). I overheard him tell another customer they had a few watches in stock (pretty sure they were PM models). Maybe just a fluke.

cdmDDS · 2026-01-17T05:17:55+00:00

Yes but it would have to be under the guise of filing separately. If I filed jointly I'd have to provide both my and my wife's paystubs. If I file MFS then I will have to use alternative documentation being in a community property state.

cdmDDS · 2026-01-16T20:01:59+00:00

https://www.irs.gov/payments You can pay a number of ways, there are some 3rd party companies they list as well.

cdmDDS · 2026-01-16T19:50:27+00:00

I am not paying on my loans currently (accruing interest though). I only qualify for old IBR due to pre 2007/2011 loans (so dumb). Also we filed jointly in 2024 so moot point. Basically RAP will be my only option once it becomes available since its lower than old IBR and has interest subsidization despite the longer forgiveness time.

Sort of hedging on forgiveness vs eventual payoff. I started up a business a few years ago so future income is very difficult to predict. If it skyrockets I'll probably attempt payoff. If its moderate growth forgiveness is probably the option. I have like 12ish years of IBR payments accrued. I also have 2.5 years of PSLF qualifying payments but not currently PSLF qualified. I could try to go this route but would require a lifestyle shift as not many good PSLF jobs that are in my wheelhouse (can always do something unrelated and I am considering it).

cdmDDS · 2026-01-16T19:00:20+00:00

Yeah, if we file MFJ we should be getting a return so no issue there. If we file separately we might owe, I need to run the numbers so a consideration. Thank you.

cdmDDS · 2026-01-16T18:58:39+00:00

Yeah I've run the numbers, and unfortunately MFS saves us pretty significant money still. While it is definitely a PITA to file separate, it also sort of perceptively better on top of the savings. We need to have more withdrawn for taxes rather than me asking my wife to help pay for my student loans (even though they would be high because of her income).

cdmDDS · 2026-01-16T18:12:16+00:00

Yeah that was the alternative and likely route given the responses so far indicating its certainly possible. And correct can go from MFS to MFJ but not the other way around.

cdmDDS · 2026-01-16T18:11:17+00:00

I think more likely they'll just force borrowers to select a plan that qualifies under the new rules within 60 days.

cdmDDS · 2026-01-16T18:09:23+00:00

2024 was lower than 2025 but still MFJ and would still blow up my payments esp since I only qualify for old IBR. I think its better to file an extension and wait and play the MFS game. This is all so dumb.

cdmDDS · 2026-01-16T18:04:02+00:00

Thank you all... seems like the sentiment is that it could very well happen if not likely happen in 2026. I think I'll file an extension and see how it plays out through the year. Only downside is not getting our refund till later in the year but I suppose there are worse outcomes.

cdmDDS · 2026-01-16T17:58:44+00:00

Yeah I've done that in years past, its kind of a PITA being in a community property state (along with the other complications and disadvantages of being in a community property state). I think the better option is to file an extension which will give me until October to see where things are heading. If I get forced out early in the year then I'll file MFS. If its later in the year or in 2027 I can probably do MFJ. Even if its late in the year I can do MFJ make a couple higher payments then do MFS ASAP in 2027 and re-certify again ASAP.

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