Who is eligible for the fresh start program?

Asked by: Yasmeen Goldner  |  Last update: December 11, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (50 votes)

You qualify for the Fresh Start program if you have eligible federal student loans and you were in default when the student loan payment pause went into effect.

What are the qualifications for the fresh start program?

Requirements To Qualify For The Fresh Start Program IRS in 2024 & 2025
  • You must have filed all required tax returns for the previous three years.
  • You must not owe more than $50,000 in taxes, including interest and penalties. ...
  • You must agree to pay your taxes owed within six years.

Why am I ineligible for fresh start transfer enrollment?

Loans That are Not Eligible for Fresh Start:

defaulted Perkins loans held by schools, loans placed with the U.S. Department of Justice for ongoing litigation, loans that go into default after the payment pause ends in September 2023, and.

Who qualifies for fresh start student loans?

Fresh Start is a one-time, temporary program from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) that offers special benefits for borrowers with defaulted federal student loans.

Who qualifies for IRS debt forgiveness?

The IRS ultimately determines whether you qualify for debt forgiveness. However, the agency generally considers taxpayers who meet these criteria: a total tax debt balance of $50,000 or less, and a total income below $100,000 for individuals (or $200,000 for married couples). Need to talk to a tax relief specialist?

What Are the Eligibility Criteria for the Fresh Start Program? - CreditGuide360.com

27 related questions found

Does the IRS forgive taxes after 10 years?

The IRS has a limited window to collect unpaid taxes — which is generally 10 years from the date the tax debt was assessed. If the IRS cannot collect the full amount within this period, the remaining balance is forgiven. This is known as the "collection statute expiration date" (CSED).

How do I know if I qualify for debt forgiveness?

You may be eligible for income-driven repayment (IDR) loan forgiveness if you've have been in repayment for 20 or 25 years. An IDR plan bases your monthly payment on your income and family size.

How does the IRS fresh start program work?

The program was designed to give first-time tax offenders an opportunity to set things right. It lets taxpayers pay off their tax debts over six years through monthly payments decided based on how much they presently earn, and their liquid asset value.

How long does it take to get approved for the fresh start program?

Note: The Fresh Start program ended at 2:59 a.m. Eastern time on Oct. 2, 2024. Learn about other ways to get your loan out of default. It takes 4–6 weeks for most people to have their request processed and be transferred to their new non-default servicer.

Why were my student loans removed from my credit report?

What happened? Student loans disappear from credit reports 7.5 years from the date they are paid in full, charged-off, or entered default. However, education debt can reappear if you dig out of default with consolidation or loan rehabilitation. Student loans can have an outsized impact on your credit score.

How does fresh start work?

If you use Fresh Start to get out of default, here's what will happen: We'll transfer your defaulted loans from the Default Resolution Group (or from a guaranty agency) to a loan servicer. We'll return your defaulted loans to “in repayment” status. We'll remove the record of your default from your credit report.

Will my 2024 tax refund be garnished for student loans?

The Fresh Start program for borrowers with previously defaulted student loans will prevent withheld tax refunds through at least September 2024. And borrowers won't newly fall into default as payments resume. The White House announced a 12-month student loan on-ramp from Oct. 1, 2023 to Sept.

Is Fresh Start legit?

The Fresh Start Program is legitimate, but the way that people use these phrase isn't always accurate. To understand what's happening, you need to look at the history of the Fresh Start Program. The IRS created the Fresh Start Program in 2011.

How much will the IRS usually settle for?

How much will the IRS settle for? The IRS will often settle for what it deems you can feasibly pay. To determine this, the agency will take into account your assets (home, car, etc.), your income, your monthly expenses (rent, utilities, child care, etc.), your savings, and more.

What is the Fresh Start Act?

Introduced in House (10/20/2021) This bill authorizes the Department of Justice to award grants for states to implement automatic expungement laws (i.e., laws that provide for the automatic expungement or sealing of an individual's criminal records).

Can I get FAFSA if I owe student loans?

No. If a student has federal student loans that are in default, they are not eligible to receive additional federal student aid until the default is resolved. The borrower can resolve a default by paying the defaulted loan in full, consolidating the loan, or rehabilitating the loan.

How do I know if I qualify for the Fresh Start program?

The Fresh Start program's eligibility requirements vary depending on the specific payment solution you're seeking and eligibility primarily depends on your income level, tax debt amount and ability to pay.

What loans are not eligible for fresh start?

Loans not eligible for Fresh Start:
  • Defaulted school-held Perkins Loans.
  • Defaulted Health Education Association Loan Program loans.
  • Student loans remaining with the U.S. Department of Justice.

How long does fresh start last?

The end of the payment pause was September 1, 2023 which means that the end of the Fresh Start period will be September 30, 2024. Borrowers seeking to take advantage of Fresh Start may do so at any time (including immediately) until the end of the Fresh start period which is September 30, 2024.

What is the IRS 6 year rule?

6 years - If you don't report income that you should have reported, and it's more than 25% of the gross income shown on the return, or it's attributable to foreign financial assets and is more than $5,000, the time to assess tax is 6 years from the date you filed the return.

How much does it cost to do the fresh start program?

The IRS Fresh Start Program itself does not have a cost to apply, but certain options within the program may require fees, such as an application fee for an Offer in Compromise.

Can you get IRS debt forgiven?

For those in extreme financial distress, filing for bankruptcy may potentially allow certain old tax debts that meet very specific criteria to be discharged (forgiven) in the bankruptcy. This includes income tax debts over three years old which were filed on time originally and meet other non-fraud provisions.

Why am I not eligible for loan forgiveness?

Only borrowers who have entered repayment on at least one of their loans when the debt relief is applied would be eligible for forgiveness on the loan(s) in repayment.

Does the US government have a debt relief program?

When it comes to credit card debt relief, it's important to dispel a common misconception: There are no government-sponsored programs specifically designed to eliminate credit card debt. So, you should be wary of any offers claiming to represent such government initiatives, as they may be misleading or fraudulent.

Is debt consolidation a good idea?

Debt consolidation can be a useful financial tool for anyone with multiple debts. It can help you simplify your finances and reduce your interest costs and monthly payments.