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Credit card debt can be forgiven, but it is rare and at the discretion of the creditor or lender.
Having credit card debt can feel like a burden weighing on your shoulders. While it would be amazing to erase your debts with no consequences or effort, the harsh reality is that’s very unlikely to happen.
So can credit card debt be forgiven?
While it’s rare and doesn’t completely erase your debts, credit card debt forgiveness is real. You may have to contact your lender directly, set up a debt management plan or file for bankruptcy. We’ll cover these and other ways to help you pay off your credit card debt and alleviate your financial stress.
Table of contents:
- What is credit card debt forgiveness?
- Debt forgiveness vs. debt relief
- Can credit card issuers forgive your debt?
- How to negotiate your credit card debt
- How does credit card debt forgiveness affect your credit?
What is credit card debt forgiveness?
Credit card debt forgiveness is when someone agrees to forgive some or all of the balance you owe. However, debt forgiveness is rare and at the discretion of the creditor or lender. In most cases, you’ll pay a good chunk of the debt, and the remaining balance will be forgiven. Still, there are penalties that could affect your credit.
Debt forgiveness vs. debt relief
Debt forgiveness is when a creditor forgives all or a portion of the debt balance, and you don’t need to pay anything back. Debt relief is a payment program that helps reduce the financial burden by making payments more manageable.
The key difference between debt relief vs. debt forgiveness is that debt relief requires you to pay off the balance. Debt forgiveness is often for unsecured balances like credit card debt as opposed to a secured debt like a home mortgage, where failure to pay usually ends in foreclosure or repossession.
Can credit card issuers forgive your debt?
Credit card issuers typically do not forgive your debt directly—credit card companies will write off the debt and deem the debt uncollectible. While the company is no longer responsible for the debt, it still doesn’t benefit you because the write-off is not credit card debt forgiveness.
The creditor then sells the debt to a third party (typically a collection agency), who will then attempt to collect your debt. These third parties can file lawsuits against you to collect the debt. At some point in this process you may reach a debt settlement where you agree to pay the balance or a portion of the debt.
How to negotiate your credit card debt
Not everyone will be able to have their credit card debt forgiven, but there are steps you can take to make your financial situation more manageable. Here are a few ways to negotiate your credit card debt.
Work with the credit card issuer
If you find yourself struggling with your financial situation, you should let your creditor(s) know right away. Even if you haven’t missed a payment, it’s best to bring up arising issues as soon as possible. Your lending company should be aware if you’re experiencing any general financial hardship or if you’re affected by a natural disaster or emergency.
Contact your credit card issuer and provide the following information:
- Why you can’t pay your credit card bill
- How much you can pay toward your balance
- When you think you can resume normal payments
- How much time you’ll need to pay off the debt
While it’s not guaranteed your credit card debt will be forgiven, the information you provide may help your issuer build a reasonable payment plan. While most credit card companies are accommodating, they are not required to accept your request.
Set up a debt management plan (DMP)
Setting up a debt management plan (DMP) can help waive fees and lower the interest rate. Through your DMP, you will pay a monthly rate to your creditors. These plans are designed to restructure your debt to be paid over several years. Remember that interest typically accrues on these payments but at a lower rate.
While DMPs are a good way to get your financial situation back on track, there are a few disadvantages.
- You must close the credit card accounts that are a part of your DMP
- You may have to stop using credit cards that aren’t tied to your DMP while it’s open
- You will have to pay a monthly fee to the credit counseling agency handling your DMP
Work with a debt settlement company
Debt settlement happens when a lender agrees to you paying a lump sum that is less than the balance you owe. You might be able to work directly with the lender or third party to create the payment plan instead of paying a settlement company to negotiate the deal. For credit card debt forgiveness, you’ll have to negotiate with the company directly or the third party to agree on the amount you can pay.
Keep in mind that not all debt collectors accept debt settlement agreements. If they do, you’ll be required to pay the lump sum, which can take years. Additionally, the debt will still show up on your credit report, which can cause your score to drop. Unless you qualify for an exclusion, the forgiven debt is considered taxable income and must be reported to the IRS.
Consolidate your debt
Debt consolidation is when you refinance your debt into one new loan. You can then pay off your different balances by combining the debt into a larger loan from a single lender.
You may consider debt consolidation if you want to reduce your monthly payment by extending the repayment period. While this won’t forgive your debt, it can pause interest from accruing.
Another way to simplify your finances is through a balance transfer credit card. This type of debt consolidation allows you to transfer your balance from other accounts to one card. While there is usually a one-time fee, you can use the promotional period to pay off a good chunk of your debt without interest.
Declare bankruptcy
Bankruptcy won’t technically forgive your credit card debt, but it can help discharge some or all of your balance. When you file for bankruptcy, a court may release you from personal liability while restructuring your assets. For example, in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, debts are restructured to pay some or all of your balance over a certain period.
Secured debts have higher priority than unsecured debts, and assets are often used to pay off these debts first. If anything is left over, those assets can and will be used to pay unsecured debts, including credit cards. Any remaining balance can be forgiven depending on the terms and conditions of the bankruptcy.
However, even if you file for bankruptcy, you may need to repay your debts over time, depending on your case. It’s also important to note bankruptcy can stay on your credit report for up to 10 years, and it can hurt your credit score during this time.
How does credit card debt forgiveness affect your credit?
Debt forgiveness doesn’t damage your credit. In addition, having less debt typically improves your credit utilization, which is good for your credit. What can hurt your credit score is missing payments, being late making payments and being unable to pay off your debts. After your debt is forgiven, you also won’t have to worry about lenders chasing after you to collect, which can help relieve some of your stress.
Credit card debt forgiveness isn’t a perfect process, though. The forgiven debt becomes taxable income, and the IRS will require you to report it. If your forgiven balance is more than $600, your lender must issue you a Form 1099-C to report the canceled balance—this may result in a hefty tax bill.
So, can credit card debt be forgiven? The bottom line is yes, but it’s at the lender’s discretion. Debt forgiveness can alleviate some of the financial burdens for those struggling, but it comes with a tax bill. If you decide to go through with one of the forgiveness options, ensure you understand the timeline, pitfalls and tax implications to maximize your financial situation.
If you’re overwhelmed by your financial situation, Lexington Law Firm offers credit services that may help you. Start your journey to improving your credit today.
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