Student-loan borrowers who make enough payments could get debt relief — and a big tax bill this year

Student-loan borrowers who receive debt relief in 2026 could face a big tax bill.

d3sign/Getty Images

• A 2021 provision that made student-loan forgiveness tax-free expired on January 1.
• Borrowers who become eligible for forgiveness in 2026 could face a big tax bill.
• The Education Department said that borrowers who complete their payments before 2026 would not be taxed.

Student-loan forgiveness isn't certain — but taxes are.

On January 1, a provision in...