I am on an income based repayment plan for my student loan s. Would it make sense to file my taxes to keep my student loan monthly payment lower?

[SweetieJean]

File your taxes how? Married Separately, maybe?

[bwmccue]

I was thinking of filing married but filing separately. Would that affect the student loan payment?

[SweetieJean]

Possibly, but it could also hurt you taxwise.
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[xmasbaby0]

If you file MFS you cannot get any education credits on your tax return.

[SweetieJean]

and keep in mind that IBRPs often last several years, during which your tax situation can change.

[SweetieJean · Accepted solution]

How does the formula work for married borrowers?  Your spouse’s income is included in calculating monthly payments even if you file separate tax returns.  However, a borrower may request that only his/her income be included if the borrower certifies that s/he is separated from his/her spouse or is unable to reasonably access the spouse’s income information.  (See Section 4 of the IDR application and recertification form).

http://www.studentloanborrowerassistance.org/repayment/federal-loans/payment-plans/income-based-opti...

[xmasbaby0]

Don't know if filing your tax return will keep your student loan payment lower, but if you are required to file a tax return, you must do so, regardless of the effect on your student loan.

DO I NEED TO FILE A TAX RETURN?

https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/do-i-need-to-file-a-tax-return 

Who has to file?

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Do-I-Need-to-File-a-Tax-Return%3F