Repayment
IDR Recertification in 2026: Dates, Consent, and Steps
Recertify IDR annually, generally 30 to 90 days before the anniversary date, or use eligible automatic recertification after IRS-data consent.
Income-driven repayment borrowers generally must recertify income and family information once each year. The IDR anniversary date appears in the federal loan details, but processing takes time. Federal Student Aid recommends submitting recertification 30 to 90 days before that date.
Consent and documentation
Borrowers who authorize access to federal tax information may be eligible for automatic annual recertification. A borrower who does not use tax-data access can provide acceptable income documentation. Supporting income documents generally must be no more than 90 days old when the request is signed, except for an eligible tax return.
Changes and missed dates
A borrower may ask for recalculation before the annual date when income or family information changes. Missing a recertification date can change the payment and may affect interest or plan status, but the result is plan-specific. Check the official notice and contact the servicer promptly rather than assuming one universal penalty.
Frequently asked questions
When should I submit annual IDR recertification?
Generally submit 30 to 90 days before the IDR anniversary date shown in your federal loan details.
Can IDR recertification happen automatically?
You may qualify for automatic recertification if valid consent to retrieve federal tax information is on file. Confirm the status in your StudentAid.gov settings.