No credit card required
Browse credit cards from a variety of issuers to see if there's a better card for you.
Thanks for the write up @Anonymous !
I would add: If you are on IDR, you can still make extra payments - it won't change anything. So if you have a bump in pay or can afford more but don't want to commit to paying more every month (which makes your finances more flexible), you can totally do it.
For example: I have my regular payment set up through the system (for the .25% reduction), but have an additional amount recurring using my bank's bill pay. If I have a windfall, I might send a one time payment as well. In the end, I can turn off the billpay from the bank without any issues or changes to my regular payment.
Offset income by investing more into a 401k/IRA/FSA plan. The lower your AGI, the less you pay and more you have invested into retirement. This usually only works well if you owe a lot of money on loans and plan on utilizing some type of forgiveness.
^ +1 You can also use that trick to continue/maximize getting your student loan interest deduction if you're over the income cut off.
2019 phase out starts at 70k and ends at 85k
Any tips on when you don't have filed tax return to show AGI? I have a large disparity between my taxable income and total earnings. This particular servicer states that they are required to count my total earnings (tax free stipends for travel work) and not just my taxable income (which essentially would be my AGI based on dry runs filing my taxes) and then they will calculate my discretionary income from that. All the research I have done via the US Dept. Of Ed states "non-taxable income" for IBR. I am at a loss. Should I press them about this? Otherwise I doubt I will qualify. They are asking for 2018 which would be 36k taxable income and 112k total earning for the year. My W2 doesn't even display the stipends/non-taxable income (obviously, because it isn't calculated into your tax bill), but they want paystubs for proof. Could I maybe request submitting my W2 in lieu of the paystubs?
@Anonymous Yes, sorry. I got behind. I saw your post though.
I should be able to more thoroughly answer you in the next day or so but it was my understanding you were trying to use just your paystubs. You can't do that because you need that AGI number. You mentioned not having filed but you're not looking at your paperwork for 2019, it's for 2018. The question would be are your wages, even inconsistent, about the same. If so, I'd go with this.
If you use your paystubs you can also turn in an income and expenses form that is provided. This often gets people's expenses down even more. The problem would be that with the significant expenses that you're talking about I'm not sure how you'd provide proof or bills of gas,etc.
I would strongly recommend you talk at length with the collection agency. They might not be initially forthcoming but they do have other options including a written letter from an employer(s). I don't know if that could include (work-related?) Expenses.
I see no scenario in which you will have to pay on the $100k+. But it might just mean you need to file for 2018 ASAP in order to get a better AGI reporting.
Thank you for your response. I was speaking regarding my 2018 taxes. I was using 2018 tax form with my 2018 tax info, not 2019. 2019 is even more drastic, so I was pleased when they were originally asking for 2018. It is going to be near impossible to file 2018 because of many issues and I assume there is a time frame to complete this step. I do keep receipts for *everything*, but lets say they aren't a very well orginized drawer of receipts consisting of 4 years. But it is in layers, right? Haha! They definitely did ask for paystubs, though, in lieu of the tax return, so I was wondering if I could somehow sub my W2. And this is in regards to rehab situation, but it sounded to me the same rules for discretionary funds as they went over it as with IBR. By the time I complete rehab, I may be in a better situation with filing my taxes. Thanks again, I will call them up tomorrow and see my options. They took me up the chain several last time saying final call with their response, but I am sure they are eager for resolution nonetheless.