What would happen to the economy if student loans were forgiven?

Asked by: Dr. Darrell Medhurst  |  Last update: January 22, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (22 votes)

Student loan debt slows new business growth and limits consumer spending. Broad student loan debt forgiveness may help boost the national economy by making it more affordable for borrowers to participate in it.

How could student loan forgiveness impact the US economy?

While there are few direct estimates of the effect of debt cancelation in the literature, estimates based on the relationship between wealth and consumption suggest that this forgiveness could increase consumption by several billions of dollars each year in the next five to ten years.

What happens to the money if student loans are forgiven?

If this happens, you must report any canceled debt as income on your tax return. Not all states are following suit with temporary tax-free loan forgiveness. So while you may not owe taxes on a federal level, you may still have to pay state income tax depending on where you live.

What happens to taxes when student loans are forgiven?

Right now, anyone who receives student loan forgiveness between 2021 and 2025 will not have to pay taxes on any amount of student debt forgiveness.

What are the negatives of student loan forgiveness?

The pros and cons of student loan forgiveness
  • Con: Forgiving debt is not fair to people who have already made their payments. ...
  • Pro: Debt forgiveness is the empathetic solution. ...
  • Con: Student loan forgiveness does not address the root problem and could even exacerbate it. ...
  • Pro: Debt cancellation could improve economic equity.

Would student loan forgiveness help boost the economy?

23 related questions found

Why the student loan forgiveness isn t fair?

1 Forgiveness is fundamentally unfair because it will ultimately be paid by taxpayers—many who have faithfully paid off their student loans, worked hard to pay for college, or chose not to go to college at all.

What are the disadvantages of forgiveness?

In particular, the tendency to express forgiveness may lead offenders to feel free to offend again by removing unwanted consequences for their behavior (e.g., anger, criticism, rejection, loneliness) that would otherwise discourage reoffending.

How does paying off student loans affect taxes?

You can take a tax deduction for the interest paid on student loans that you took out for yourself, your spouse, or your dependent. This benefit applies to all loans (not just federal student loans) used to pay for higher education expenses. The maximum deduction is $2,500 a year.

Why should student loans be forgiven?

Pro 1: Student loan debt is slowing the national economy. Forgiveness would boost the economy, benefiting everyone. When everyone can't participate in the economy, the whole economy suffers.

What is the tax bomb after loan forgiveness?

The “IDR Tax Bomb” refers to the taxable income resulting from loan forgiveness after 20-25 years of payments. Preparing for this tax implication is crucial when considering an IDR plan and building a financial future.

Would student loan forgiveness increase inflation?

If the debt forgiveness program is permitted to move forward, at a time when consumer spending already is high, it could lead to more inflation, Jones said.

What is the moral hazard of student loan forgiveness?

Another concern of forgiving student debt is “moral hazard,” the idea that students might make riskier choices if they think their debt will end up being forgiven, Jones said.

Does student loan debt hurt the economy?

The benefits of higher education come in the form of higher wages, increased productivity, and positive social outcomes — making degree attainment a high-return investment. At the same time, high levels of student debt can also harm certain sectors of the economy and lower the net wealth of households.

Who holds the most student debt?

Student Debt vs Income by Age Groups

Among the age groups, adults between the ages of 18 and 29 are the most likely to have student loan debt. Meanwhile, adults between the ages of 35 and 49 years old on average owe the most student loan debt.

How does student loan forgiveness affect the federal budget?

Student loan relief contributing to 27% jump in projected federal budget deficit, per CBO. Lawmakers will have to contend with even larger federal budget deficits, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Why is student loan forgiveness unfair?

The nonpartisan organization also argued that this policy will lead to more inflation and drive up higher education costs. Additionally, the cancelation of these loans is fundamentally unfair. It will occur at the expense of Americans who have worked hard, repaid their debts or chosen not to go to college at all.

Would forgiving student loans help the economy?

Student loan debt slows new business growth and limits consumer spending. Broad student loan debt forgiveness may help boost the national economy by making it more affordable for borrowers to participate in it.

What are the negative effects of student loan forgiveness?

Individuals who receive debt forgiveness would have more disposable income to afford basic necessities, purchase homes or even start their own businesses. However, debt forgiveness could encourage future students to take on more debt or encourage some universities to charge more for tuition, Jones said.

Can my grandma pay off my student loans?

Answer: If a friend or family member pays your student loans off, it is probably a non-taxable gift to you. However, your friend or family member may be responsible for filing gift tax returns and for paying any applicable gift tax on the payment.

How to get the full $2500 American Opportunity credit?

To claim the American opportunity credit complete Form 8863 and submit it with your Form 1040 or 1040-SR. Enter the nonrefundable part of the credit on Schedule 3 (Form 1040 or 1040-SR), line 3. Enter the refundable part of the credit on Form 1040 or 1040-SR, line 29.

Do student loans count as income for housing?

Dependent Income: If you are full-time student and a dependent, any money you earn won't be counted in your household's income to determine rent. Any loans you receive also won't be counted as income if the borrower or co-borrower is a member of the household.

Is forgiveness positive or negative?

Positive (or emotional) forgiveness is a therapeutic process of absolute forgiveness, which also involves reinstituting positive feelings and thoughts toward the offender. Negative forgiveness, on the other hand, is a situation in which forgiveness is extended while brooding over the act of transgression.

Are there consequences after forgiveness?

Clearly, when God forgives He removes the eternal consequences of our sins (Romans 6:23), but there are many examples where such forgiven people still had to face the lingering physical consequences, as in the case of David (2 Samuel 12:10-14).

What is toxic forgiveness?

Toxic forgiveness occurs when an individual pardons another person prematurely or under duress, often without genuine resolution of the underlying issues. This form of forgiveness can stem from societal pressures, internalized guilt, or a desire to maintain peace at the cost of one's well-being.