So I’m a bit concerned.  Like many of you, my spouse and I file separately so that my student loan payment under IBR is lower than if we filed jointly.  It’s my time of the year to re-certify, but online it is now requiring my wife to “co-sign” my IBR re-certification.  This concerns me because filing separately should mean that my spouse’s income isn’t considered… yet now they require this info?  The loans pre-date the marriage, and I have never filed a joint tax return.  These are the steps that my spouse was told to do in order to co-sign my IBR re-certification request: 

To co-sign the Income-Driven Repayment Plan Request, your spouse will need to:
Log into StudentLoans.gov with your FSA ID.
Select “Co-sign Spouse’s Income-Driven Repayment Plan Request” on the My Account page.
Enter the Reference Number/Co-sign ID and your spouse’s SSN.
Review the request.  (If any changes are required, the applicant must complete a new request.)
Select “Link to IRS” to import your tax information from the IRS website.  If you choose not to import your information, then you may be required to submit your most recent tax return via a paper request form.
Provide your personal information, including Permanent Address and contact information.
After entering the required information, you will be prompted to certify that the information that you and your spouse have provided is true.
Enter your First Name, Last Name and Middle Initial (if applicable) as you submitted it with your FSA ID.
Click “Sign & Submit.”

Has anyone else seen this happen?  Has IBR changed and they are now including spousal income?  On my servicer’s website, there is an option where I can check a box indicating that I do not have access to my spouse’s return.  I want to be truthful w/ them, so I checked that I do have access, yet they then insist on her tax return.  Perhaps I should say that I don’t have access?  Has anyone seen this happen?  Any input is greatly appreciated!  Thank you!

This was discussed a few months ago
http://askheatherjarvis.com/forums/viewthread/9677/

You’ll find an explanation from the DOE there. However, no one on these forums has stated any problems with supplying their spousal income…I’m assuming they’ll just ignore it for IBR, but need it just in case they need to switch you to another plan if you do not qualify. If anyone has had any issues, let the forum know!

IBR has not changed. DOE is simply using a one-size-fits-all approach to the recertification forms. They are requiring spouse income documentation and spouse signature for all borrowers on income driven repayment plans. Yes, it’s worrisome, given the track record of many loan servicers. However, if you are a MFS borrower and your servicer processes your form correctly, they will not include your spouse’s income in your IBR amount. I recommend calling and writing your servicer to remind them to calculate the IBR amount correctly. Good luck.