So, I'm assuming that if I negotiate some kind of settlement before January 1, 2018, the amount forgiven would become income for 2017? If I declare bankruptcy in 2018, the discharged amount would not be income for 2018 because of the bankruptcy?

I'm expecting to have some student loans discharged in April, May, or June of 2018, depending on how fast the final paperwork is accepted.

Is the calculation of insolvency done in such a way that my degree of insolvency will decrease by the amount of the discharged loans (assuming all else is equal) on the day the loans are discharged?

If I don't settle or declare bankruptcy, will there be any canceled debt on a 1099? When? What about when a judgment expires?