In my opinion it appears as of now it is still a debt, and when the debt is Forgiven then it will be income... If you pick it up in 2020 as debt forgiveness income then what will you do if it is Forgiven in 2021 and then a 2021 1099-C is issued... and who knows maybe your client may come up on some money and pay that $15,000 debt off maybe.. Just my opinion