Hi Heather,

I got married about a month ago, and just got my notice from my lender that I need to submit my documentation for recalculation.  Since I wasn’t married when I filed my taxes, how should I complete the application?  As if I were single (which seems dishonest), or as if we were married filing separately (which isn’t accurate), or in some other manner?  My wife also has student loans and is on IBR, so she will face the same situation.  We will likely file jointly on this years taxes.

Thanks in advance!

Congratulations!  So when you recertify income you will be asked to import your most recent tax return data and that will be used to calculate your payment.  You will be asked if your current income is “significantly different” than the income reported on your most recent federal income tax return in which case you will be required to submit paper “alternative documentation of income described this way:
“You must provide documentation of all taxable income that you and your spouse (if applicable) currently receive (for
example, income from employment, unemployment income, dividend income, interest income, tips, alimony). Do
not report untaxed income such as Supplemental Security Income, child support, or federal or state public
assistance.
You must provide one piece of documentation for each source of taxable income. Documentation may include a pay
stub, a letter from your employer listing pay, bank statements, or dividend statements. If documentation is
unavailable, attach a signed statement explaining the income source(s) and giving the name and the address of the
income source(s).
Unless the frequency is clearly indicated on the documentation that you provide, write on your documentation how
often you receive the income, for example, “twice per month” or “every other week”. The date on any supporting
documentation you provide must be no older than 90 days from the date you sign this form. Copies of original
documentation are acceptable.”

http://ifap.ed.gov/dpcletters/attachments/GEN1408Attachment.pdf