10 years if working for in public service or an approved non-profit agency and the amount forgiven is not counted as taxable income. However, there is currentl

10 years if working for in public service or an approved non-profit agency and the amount forgiven is not counted as taxable income. However, there is currently at least one lawsuit pending because the gov't is trying to talk its way out of providing the forgiveness. Essentially telling the group that they were mistakenly approved for the program. Also people should read the program's fine print (in the FAQs). There is no guarantee that the program will remain or that the commitment will be honored.