If Susan's Direct Loan balance is canceled by the Department of Education under the TCJA, how much must she include in her gross income?

When a Direct Loan balance is canceled under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), it is important to understand the implications for gross income reporting. The TCJA provisions state that certain student loan discharges, such as for borrowers who meet specific conditions related to total and permanent disability or other qualifying circumstances, do not need to be included in gross income for federal tax purposes.

In Susan's case, if her Direct Loan balance is canceled in accordance with the TCJA, she would not have to report any amount from that cancellation as gross income. This means that the correct answer is indeed that she must include $0 in her gross income. The rationale is based on the legislation's intent to alleviate the financial burden of student loans without imposing additional tax liability on borrowers who receive such discharges. This relief is designed to ease the economic impact on individuals who have already faced challenges in repaying their student debt.