u/Chromakey__Dreamcoat

I started my new job at a 501(c)(3) non profit in March 2026. I graduated in December 2025. I had no income in 2025 while I was in school. Since I had no earned income I didn't file my taxes for 2025. Since I didn't do my taxes I provided pay stubs to FSA to calculate my IBR payment that is set to begin this June where I will be paying about 900 a month. Is it worth filling my 2025 taxes late and requesting FSA to recalculate my IBR amount? Ideally I'd like to have $0 payments for the first year based on my 2025 tax info but I suspect that this will not happen since FSA knows I am earning income since I submitted my pay stubs. In hindsight I should've done my taxes and applied for IBR before starting the new job.

tl;dr Should I file 2025 taxes and request IBR recalculation to get payments to $0 for first year of PSLF payments even after submitting pay stubs for inital IBR application.

P.S I am able to manage to current monthly payment of 909 but I'd like save money if possible. I also think since the calculation is based on pay stubs instead of IRS data my IBR payment is higher than it should be. I suspect my IBR payment will likely go down as I am contributing 17% of my paycheck to my 403b and plan to file taxes moving forward.

I submitted my employment verification and it got approved so my 4 loans on FSA have the 120 counter. I submitted my IBR request on 4/24 and my grace period ends 6/28 for 2 loans and 7/28 for the other 2. When I called EdFinancial the representative encouraged me to consolidate. the representative was saying that it would be less confusing, lower my interest, and could delay my repayment for a few months due to processing deferment. Do I need to do this though? I have 2 direct subsidized loans and 2 direct grad plus loans so I don't see the benefit other than to delay paying by a few months. Was there a reason the person was pushing consolidation that they weren't telling me?