Chapter 7 Means Test Calculator

How the Median Test Works

The means test applies to individuals filing Chapter 7 whose debts are primarily consumer debts, which the Bankruptcy Code defines as debts "incurred by an individual primarily for a personal, family, or household purpose." Every individual Chapter 7 filer files Form 122A-1, the Chapter 7 Statement of Your Current Monthly Income.

"Current monthly income" is the average monthly income from all sources you receive during the six full calendar months before you file, whether or not it is taxable (11 U.S.C. 101(10A)). The form’s own example: if you file on September 15, the six months are March 1 through August 31. If your income varied, add all six months and divide by 6.

Line 12 multiplies that monthly figure by 12. Line 13 is the median family income for your state and household size. If line 12b is less than or equal to line 13, the form directs you to line 14a and box 1, "There is no presumption of abuse," and you do not file Form 122A-2. If line 12b is more, you go to line 14b and complete Form 122A-2.

The statute behind line 13 is 11 U.S.C. 707(b)(7). For a household of 2 to 4 people it uses the highest median for a family of the same number or fewer people; for a household above 4 it adds a fixed amount per extra person, which the current table sets at $11,100 a year.

What Counts as Income

Form 122A-1 counts gross wages, salary, tips, bonuses, overtime and commissions before payroll deductions; alimony and maintenance; amounts anyone regularly pays toward your household expenses, including child support and regular contributions from a partner, roommate or family member; net business, farm and rental income; interest, dividends and royalties; unemployment compensation; pension and retirement income; and income from any other source.

The statute excludes: benefits received under the Social Security Act; payments to victims of war crimes or crimes against humanity on account of that status; payments to victims of international or domestic terrorism on account of that status; and compensation, pension, pay, annuity or allowance paid under titles 10, 37 or 38 in connection with a disability, combat-related injury or disability, or death of a member of the uniformed services (with a limit for chapter 61 military retired pay). The form lets you list unemployment compensation separately if you contend it was a Social Security Act benefit.

Median Income by State

These are the U.S. Trustee Program figures for cases filed on or after April 1, 2026, for households of 1 to 4. For a larger household, add $11,100 for each person above 4. Official median income table

Military and Non-Consumer-Debt Exemptions

Form 122A-1Supp, the Statement of Exemption from Presumption of Abuse, covers three situations where the means test does not apply. If your debts are not primarily consumer debts, you check box 1 on Form 122A-1 and sign.

A disabled veteran (as defined in 38 U.S.C. 3741(1)) whose debts were incurred mostly while on active duty or performing a homeland defense activity is also exempt. A Reservist or National Guard member called to active duty after September 11, 2001 for at least 90 days, or who performed a homeland defense activity for at least 90 days, is excluded while serving and for 540 days afterward (box 3, "The Means Test does not apply now"), and may have to file an amended form if that period ends before the case closes.

The Reservist and National Guard exclusion was added in 2008, and the statutory note to 11 U.S.C. 707 says it applies only to cases commenced in a 19-year period beginning on the 2008 act’s effective date (December 19, 2008), so through December 2027 unless Congress extends it again. The disabled-veteran exemption is not part of that time limit. If you file jointly and an exemption applies to only one of you, the other spouse may need a separate Form 122A-1 (11 U.S.C. 707(b)(2)(C)). This calculator does not evaluate any of these exemptions.

What This Does Not Do

• It does not compute Form 122A-2 (Part 2 of the means test): no living-expense deductions, no IRS standards, no secured or priority debt payments, no disposable-income figure.
• It does not decide whether you can file Chapter 7 or get a discharge. Other rules apply whatever your income: for example, you generally must receive a credit counseling briefing from an approved agency within 180 days before filing (11 U.S.C. 109(h)), and a Chapter 7 discharge is denied if you received one in a case commenced within 8 years before the new petition (11 U.S.C. 727(a)(8)).
• It does not decide which debts are discharged, which property you keep (that depends on exemptions), or whether Chapter 13 fits you better.
• It is general legal information, not legal advice. Your figures should match what you report, under penalty of perjury, on the official form.

For exemptions, courts and state rules, see our bankruptcy laws by state.

Disclaimer: General legal information, not legal advice. Median figures change periodically; confirm the table for your filing date on the U.S. Trustee Program site.

Sources

• U.S. Trustee Program, Census Bureau Median Family Income By Family Size (cases filed on or after July 15, 2026; same figures since April 1, 2026)
• 11 U.S.C. 101 (definitions: (8) consumer debt, (10A) current monthly income, (39A) median family income)
• 11 U.S.C. 707 (dismissal for abuse; (b)(7) median-income safe harbor)
• 11 U.S.C. 109(h) (credit counseling)
• 11 U.S.C. 727(a)(8) (prior discharge within 8 years)
• Official Form 122A-1, Chapter 7 Statement of Your Current Monthly Income (uscourts.gov)
• Official Form 122A-1Supp, Statement of Exemption from Presumption of Abuse (uscourts.gov)
• Official Form 122A-2, Chapter 7 Means Test Calculation (uscourts.gov)
• U.S. Trustee Program, Means Testing (justice.gov)