How do student loan repayments by your employer work?

Andy S: How do student loan repayments by your employer work?
I recently graduated and I’ve heard some companies will offer “loan repayments”. Do I understand correctly that I don’t pay any taxes on this amount? Does it matter if its federal or private loans? Can anyone (employer) offer this type of incentive?

Answers and Views:

Answer by v b
If you are in the US, this would be income to you.

The only times it wouldn’t be is if you took the loan with the contractual agreement that you would work in an underserved area for x number of years (ala the doctor in the tv series “Northern Exposure”).