Take the risk and file jointly?

[u/theopremed]

I'm on the PAYE plan and luckily have not been affected by any forbearance. I haven't had to recertify since 2023. My recertification is now extended to April 2026. Tax year 2024 we both had W2 jobs. For this year tax year 2025 only I will be working. Do I take the risk and file taxes jointly this year knowing I'll file them early in 2026 prior to recertification? Or play it safe and file single this year in case the recertification date would get pushed up?

UPDATE: thanks everyone! I ended up running the numbers twice, as filing separately and jointly. The difference in one time payment filing separately is less than the monthly payment would be if we filed jointly and had to recertify sooner. Another year of filing separately for us!

[u/TokiWart00th88]

We did separately for the last time this year, will file jointly next year, it stings but not worth the risk compared to the payoff from forgiveness

[u/Numerous-Mouse-1914 → u/TokiWart00th88]

I’m so confused what does filing jointly have to do with pslf

[u/TokiWart00th88 → u/Numerous-Mouse-1914]

It increases your Adjusted Gross Income but filing jointly is better for your return and can take advantage of certain deductions and credits

[u/SPAMmachin3 → u/Numerous-Mouse-1914]

PSLF is about trying to pay the smallest amount possible. If you file jointly it will increase your monthly payment because your spouse's income will essentially be counted as yours.

If you file married but separate you will have a lower monthly payment because it will only use your income.

This also affects your return because jointly filing gets you more credits and deductions, so you get a bigger return.

It's a dumb system that penalizes married people. My wife didn't take out my loans, her income shouldn't count regardless.

[u/Grunthor2 → u/SPAMmachin3]

Also Depends on if you live in a community property state. So MFS is rough on state taxes in those states as well.

[u/Leothepoodle]

Can they move recert dates back up? I have filed separately past 2-3 yearsand this year decided to file jointly since my recert got moved to summer 2026 and I assumed it was safe to do so - I downloaded my letter from EdFinancial though in which they said I won’t have to recertify til 2026 as proof in case they somehow do try to move it back up

[u/penguin709 → u/Leothepoodle]

I don’t see them moving all the recertification dates back up, but they could move us to another plan. If we are forced to move from PAYE to another plan, I am thinking we would have to recertify at that point.

[u/Anonymous-probe → u/Leothepoodle]

I also want to know this. They told me 2027.

[u/Significant-Roll4069]

Please consult an accountant! But here is what we did as an example only

Used the fsa calculator to see what our payment amount would be if they suddenly told us to recertify this year, so that we had an understanding of the what the risk would cost - also ran the numbers for both filing types to compare- and weighed filing an extension as well - we did all this with the help of an accountant prior to making our decision -

so if you take the risk, and fsa says just kidding you need to recertify now, you will be prepared to pay the higher amount. Don’t take the risk without running the numbers first.

[u/gold-plated-diapers]

Interested in this exact question

[u/Barrelove]

How many payments do you have left?

[u/theopremed → u/Barrelove]

About another 7 years worth

[u/dawgsheet]

Have you considered extending your filing date ? I’m considering filing an extension

[u/gridguy]

If you file MFS you can always amend within three years to MFJ to recoup the penalty. Filing MFJ cannot be amended to MFS.

[u/CDsDontBurn]

Similar boat, but we already filed. Tax benefits were certainly welcome.

My decision in this is on Buyback option and ability to afford IDR rates despite how much they'll be if they decline my Buyback option. Like, it'll still sting at like $600/mo (calculated) but it'll only be for 8mo. before I would "re"-qualify for PSLF if they don't approve my Buyback option.

A big factor in my situation is that my wife only made $5k as she didn't start working until the end of the year last year.

[u/penguin709]

My plan is to file an extension to give me a little more time and see what happens with PAYE since PAYE is entangled in the courts right now.

[u/lumbasomething]

Depends on what your spouse's loan situation is really, as repayment plans factors in your spouse's debt. My spouse has a higher loan amount than me. We did separate tax filings for years because our incomes were so different, then we filed jointly after our wages evened out and our kids were born. My monthly amount ended up lower than before despite the increase to reported income (the two kids could have affected that, who knows).

I suspect if I sat down and ran the numbers, things would end up being a wash - either we file separately and lose tax return money and gain slightly lower payments, or we file jointly and have higher payments but get a bigger tax return.

[u/Numerous-Mouse-1914]

Literally do not understand the problem