This forum helped me tremendously throughout my CC debt settlement. I did settle, and was informed that I will receive a 1099 form showing the forgiven debt (30k for us) which I have to claim as 'income' on my tax return. Long story short, this would be quite a burden for us; HOWEVER, if you can show you are insolvent at the time of settlement, then the forgiven debt is deducted from the amount you are insolvent.
Information about this can be found under the IRS site; Publication 4681.
Best to all.