In most cases, obtaining a discharge will be the primary reason why a borrower files for bankruptcy. If a debt is discharged in bankruptcy, the borrower will be released from all personal liability on the debt. Further, creditors will be restricted from taking any collection action against the debtor for debts discharged in bankruptcy. Creditors will not be allowed to call, sue, send letters, garnish wages, or take any other collection action.
Most unsecured loans are eligible for discharge in bankruptcy. Unsecured loans are debts that don’t have collateral. For instance, credit cards, student loans, and medical bills are usually unsecured loans. On the other hand, secured loans give the lender collateral for the loan. For instance, home mortgages and car loans are typically secured debts.
Not all types of debts are eligible for a discharge in Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. You should consult with a bankruptcy law firm in Tampa before taking action. An experienced attorney can help get the most out of bankruptcy and obtain the fresh start you need. Bankruptcy law is complex, and the circumstances will depend on the unique facts of each case.
The Discharge
Bankruptcy law 11 U.S.C. 524(a) prevents creditors from holding borrowers personally liable for a discharged debt. For instance, threatening to garnish wages or sue borrowers can be a violation of debt collection laws. A willful violation of the ban on collection activity can lead to sanctions being imposed on the creditor. These sanctions can include an injunction, fines, reimbursement of funds paid by the debtor, and even punitive damages. Additionally, the creditor may be responsible for reimbursing fees borrowers paid their lawyer to fight the case. See bankruptcy case In Re Burson.
In order to obtain sanctions, the collection action must be a willful act by the creditor. Voluntary payments made by the debtor will not expose the creditor to sanctions for illegal debt collection activity. However, the payment must indeed be voluntary and not a response to the creditor’s actions to induce payment. For instance, paying a creditor to end harassment of the debtor’s family is not a voluntary payment. Voluntary is viewed in an “objective sense as referring to repayment that is free from creditor influence or inducement.” See In Re Hudson.
Common Examples of Debts Eligible for Discharge
- Car repossession judgments
- Wage garnishments
- Credit cards
- Medical bills
- Foreclosure deficiency judgments
- Personal loans
- Cash advances
- Payday loans
Discharging Student Loans in Bankruptcy
In Brunner v. NY State Higher Educational Services, the Undue Hardship Test was established for student loans in bankruptcy. Under the Brunner test, in order to have student loan debt discharged, the debtor must meet four conditions. First, he or she cannot maintain a “minimal standard of living.” Secondly, the borrower is undergoing special circumstances beyond their control, and those conditions are likely to continue throughout the student loan repayment period. Additionally, the borrower has, in good faith, tried to repay the loan.
If you can satisfy all three of the above requirements, a judge may declare your student loans dischargeable. Passing the Brunner Test to discharge student loans can be difficult. It is rare that a student loan will be discharged in bankruptcy. If you need assistance with discharging student loans, contact a Tampa bankruptcy attorney.
How to Discharge IRS Tax Debt in Bankruptcy
If all four of the conditions below are satisfied your IRS tax debt may be discharged in bankruptcy. If the debt is discharged, the penalties and interest on the taxes will also be discharged in the bankruptcy.
- Income Taxes: The taxes owed must be federal, state, or local income taxes.
- 3 Year Requirement: To be eligible for discharge, the tax debt must have become due at least 3 years prior to the bankruptcy filing. If you received an extension to file taxes, the 3-year clock begins when the extension expires, not the initial due date.
- 2 Year Rule: The income tax returns must have been filed at least 2 years prior to the bankruptcy petition. Tax returns that are filed late will still be eligible, as long as they were filed at least 2 years prior to the bankruptcy petition. See Bankruptcy law 11 USC 523.
- The 240 day Rule: The taxes must have been assessed at least 240 days prior to the bankruptcy filing. It is important to note, if the debtor files an amended tax return the 240-day clock starts over again, beginning the date the amended return is filed.
If the tax returns were filed with a willful attempt to defraud the IRS, the debt would not be discharged. There is no time limit for fraudulent taxes, and the debt won’t be discharged regardless of when they were filed. To be excluded from eligibility for discharge, the IRS must prove three elements. First, they must prove the borrower had knowledge the tax returns were false. Secondly, they must show the borrower had the intent to avoid paying taxes. Additionally, there must have been an underpayment of taxes. See In Re Kirk.
Eliminate Judgments with a Discharge
Under Bankruptcy law, a discharge will eliminate judgments in bankruptcy, “to the extent that it is a determination of the personal liability of the debtor.” Any action to collect money from the debtor will be barred. Most types of judgments are eligible for a discharge in Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. However, there are some types of judgments that are excluded from being discharged. Therefore, you should contact a bankruptcy attorney in Tampa to review your judgment before filing bankruptcy.
Most types of judgments are eligible for discharge; however, some judgment debts you can’t discharge in bankruptcy. For instance, alcohol-related injury judgments are non-dischargeable. Similarly, judgments for malicious or wanton conduct resulting in serious bodily injury or death cannot be discharged. If you have debts that are not eligible for discharge, all hope is not lost, there may be other options. A bankruptcy lawyer in Tampa can help provide some options for relief.
Restitution judgments are also often excluded from a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy Discharge. Restitution is often money owed in response to injuring a person or damaging property while committing a crime. A common example is causing a car accident while driving drunk.
Child Support and Alimony in Bankruptcy
Child support and alimony will be the first of the unsecured claims to be paid among all your other unsecured creditors. Keep in mind that child support and alimony obligations cannot be discharged through either Chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy. You will be required to continue payments to your former spouse during your bankruptcy case and after your discharge.
If you receive child support or alimony, you can protect that income in bankruptcy. The entire amount that you receive for child support or alimony will be protected. Therefore, the bankruptcy trustee cannot take that income away from you.
if you are behind on child support and/or alimony obligations, filing Chapter 13 may help. You would be required to pay all child support and alimony in full through the Chapter 13 repayment plan. However, this can be beneficial to the debtor filing bankruptcy. Including child support or alimony can reduce the amount you have to pay the banks and other creditors.
Secured Debts in Bankruptcy
The discharge removes a borrower’s personal liability on the debt. However, the discharge does not remove liens from property. If the debt is discharged in bankruptcy, the creditor may still repossess the collateral used for the loan. For instance, if a car loan is discharged, the borrower will not owe the bank any money personally. However, the car loan lender can still repossess the car because it was given as collateral for the debt. See Johnson v. Homestate Bank.
The value of secured debt on personal property is determined by the replacement value of the collateral. The valuation is based on the value, as of the date of filing. Secured debts may be discharged, but a lien will likely remain on the collateral securing the loan.
Priority Unsecured Debts
Priority unsecured debts are loans without collateral, which bankruptcy law gives special protection to. In these instances, bankruptcy law intends to protect the creditor. These loans will be paid first among all the other unsecured creditors. See bankruptcy law 11 U.S.C. § 507. Examples of priority unsecured debts are child support, alimony, taxes, and FDIC claims. Most often, priority unsecured debts will not be discharged in bankruptcy.
Bankruptcy Law Firm in the Tampa Bay Area
If you are having a difficult time meeting your financial obligations, Florida Law Advisers, P.A., may be able to help. We are a customer service oriented Tampa bankruptcy law firm, committed to providing personalized attention and dedicated legal counsel. All of our initial consultations are free and convenient payment plans are always available. Regardless, if you need help with Chapter 13, Chapter 7, or other debt relief, our professional legal team will provide you with the competent legal advice you can trust. Call us now at (800) 990-7763 to speak with a Tampa bankruptcy lawyer.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, you will first have to comply with the terms of your bankruptcy case. You must also satisfy all conditions for discharge that are required under bankruptcy. Otherwise, the discharge may be withheld.
Typically, it is very difficult to discharge student loans in bankruptcy. However, Chapter 13 bankruptcy may provide an opportunity to lower or modify your student loan. Chapter 13 can also stop active garnishments or other collection efforts from the student loan.
Chapter 13 bankruptcy can stop a student loan wage garnishment. As soon as Chapter 13 is filed an automatic stay will be issued. The stay is a federal law that stops all forms of collection activity, including student loan garnishments.
Generally, it is very difficult to discharge student loans in bankruptcy. However, Chapter 13 bankruptcy can stop a student loan wage garnishment. Chapter 13 may also provide an opportunity to lower or modify your student loan.
Generally, it is very difficult to discharge student loans in bankruptcy. There are cases where student loans have been discharged but they are rare. Most often, student loans will not be eligible for discharge in either Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
Under Bankruptcy law, a discharge can eliminate judgments in bankruptcy, “to the extent that it is a determination of the personal liability of the debtor.” Any action to collect money from the debtor will be barred.
In Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the payment plan must provide for child support and alimony to be paid in full. In Chapter 7 cases, child support and alimony payments are given priority and are not eligible for discharge.
Most unsecured debts are eligible for discharge in Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. For questions about a specific debt or case contact a bankruptcy lawyer to schedule a consultation.
The discharge is a court order that releases you from personal liability on the debt. The creditor will not be able to take any collection action against you personally after the debt has been discharged. Typically, the discharge is granted near the conclusion of a case.
Yes, if certain criteria are satisfied, your IRS tax bill may be discharged in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. However, penalties for fraud imposed by the IRS are not eligible for discharge in Chapter 7, only income taxes are eligible.
To be eligible for discharge in bankruptcy, the tax assessment must be levied at least 240 days prior to the date you file bankruptcy. If you do not satisfy the 240 day rule the income taxes will not be eligible for discharge.
Yes, you can use credit cards or other loans to pay off a tax bill. However, loans used to pay off a non-dischargeable tax bill will also not be eligible for a discharge in bankruptcy.
