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Fairness Over Deference: The Shifting Landscape Of Creditors Rights To Claims And Debtor Protection Regarding The Issuance Of Form 1099-C, Patrick Christensen

Bankruptcy Research Library

(Excerpt)

Issues surrounding the discharge of indebtedness with regard to Form 1099-C filings have recently become a difficult issue for bankruptcy courts. When a debtor cannot afford to pay a creditor an outstanding debt, a Form 1099-C is utilized to “discharge the debt.” The resulting cancellation is then reportable for tax purposes for both the debtor (as cancellation-of-debt income – “COD income”) and the creditor (as a deduction). Form 1099-C filings are made by creditors and issued to each “debtor for whom . . . $600 or more of a debt owed” had been cancelled.

Courts have had to consider …