@SweetieJean - the benefits of filing separate to 'save' on student loan payments is dubious.
While IBR payments may be lower when calculated solely on the one income, the other spouse is going to pay higher tax on the other income when using the MFS tax tables. The question is whether the higher tax bill for the family (since both are filing MFS) is offset by lower student loan payments.
And those lower student loan payments will result in a higher loan foregiveness after 20 years of payments. Post 2025, the loan foregiveness is reportable federal taxable income, with the exception of the PSLF repayment program which is covered by a separate federal law and the loan foregiveness is not taxable by the federal government, no matter when the foregiveness occurs.
So the savings of lower student loan payments plus the additional future taxes due to higher loan foregiveness has to be less than the income tax due based on both filing MFS.... that is so uncertain it is dubious that filing MFS will lead to a better outcome in the long run.
