It depends on how you and your spouse file your federal income tax return.

• If you and your spouse file separate federal income tax returns, your loan servicer will use only your
income when determining whether you qualify for the IBR Plan or the Pay As You Earn Plan, and when
calculating your monthly payment amount under any of the income-driven repayment plans.
• If you and your spouse file a joint federal income tax return, your loan servicer will use your joint income
when determining your eligibility for the IBR or Pay As You Earn plan, and when calculating your payment
amount under any of the income-driven repayment plans.
• If you file a joint federal tax return and your spouse has eligible federal student loans, your loan
servicer will also use your combined eligible student loan debt when determining your eligibility for the IBR
Plan or the Pay As You Earn Plan, and will adjust the calculated income-driven payment amount
proportionately, based on each spouse’s share of the total debt.
• For example, if the calculated IBR Plan payment amount for you and your spouse (based on your joint
income) is $200 and you owe 60 percent of your combined loan debt and your spouse owes 40 percent,
your individual IBR Plan payment would be $120, and your spouse’s individual IBR Plan payment would be
$80. If you and your spouse have loans with more than one loan servicer, your payment amounts will be
further adjusted

Note: If you are married and file a joint federal tax return, and your spouse also has eligible federal student
loans, your spouse is not required to request an income-driven repayment plan in order for the adjustments
described above to be made. Your spouse may choose a different repayment plan but may need to provide
authorization for your loan servicer to access his or her loan information in the National Student Loan Data
System (NSLDS®).

For more information go to the Income-Driven Repayment Plans: Frequently Asked Questions Website