If a Federal Government agency, certain agencies connected with the Federal Government, financial institution, credit union, or an organization having a significant trade or business of lending money (such as a finance or credit card company) cancels or forgives a debt you owe of $600 or more, this form must be provided to you. Generally, if you are an individual, you must include all canceled amounts, even if less than $600, on the “Other income” line of Form 1040. If you are a corporation, partnership, or other entity, report the canceled debt on your tax return. See the tax return instructions.

However, some canceled debts are not includible, or fully includible, in your income, such as certain student loans, certain debts reduced by the seller after purchase, qualified farm debt, qualified real property business debt, qualified principal residence debt, or debts canceled in bankruptcy. See Pub. 4681. Do not report a canceled debt as income if you did not deduct it but would have been able to do so on your tax return if you had paid it. Also, do not include canceled debts in your income to the extent you were insolvent immediately before the cancellation of the debt. If you exclude a canceled debt from your income, file Form 982.