California Chapter 7 Means Test Calculator (2026)
The California Chapter 7 Means Test (Part 1)
Compare your household income to the California median for your household size, using U.S. Trustee figures effective July 15, 2026. Nothing you enter is stored.
California Chapter 7 Six-Month Income Worksheet
Enter each of the six complete calendar months used for the current monthly income calculation. The worksheet totals the period, calculates the monthly average, and annualizes it. Nothing entered here is stored.
| Household Size | Annual Median | Monthly Equivalent | Six-Month Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $79,253 | $6,604 | $39,627 |
| 2 | $102,797 | $8,566 | $51,399 |
| 3 | $116,541 | $9,712 | $58,271 |
| 4 | $139,071 | $11,589 | $69,536 |
For households larger than four, add $11,100 per additional person to the annual figure. Use the official table in effect on the expected filing date.
A California Six-Month Example
Assume a two-person California household received $7,710 in each of the six complete calendar months before filing. The six-month total would be $46,260, the current monthly average would be $7,710, and the annualized income would be $92,520. That is $10,277 below the two-person California median shown on this page. This illustrates the first income comparison only. It does not decide the full means test or Chapter 7 eligibility.
How California Changes The Means-Test Estimate
The first comparison is not a national income limit. It uses the California median for the household size and the government table in effect on the filing date. On this page, the annual figures run from $79,253 for one person to $139,071 for four people, a difference of $59,818. A five-person California household would use $150,171 before moving to the expense portion of the test.
A California Close-To-The-Line Example
If a two-person household averaged $8,395 monthly during the six-month lookback period, its annualized income would be $100,740. That is only $2,057 below the current two-person California median used here. A bonus, job change, unpaid leave, or a different filing month could change that comparison, which is why the six actual calendar months matter.
Where Location Inside California Can Matter
California is served by the Northern, Eastern, Central, and Southern Districts of California. The correct filing district depends on venue facts such as where a person has lived or kept a principal residence, assets, or business. Part 2 can also use location-sensitive housing and utility standards. Those allowances may differ by county inside California, so a statewide median-income result should not be treated as a complete eligibility decision.
| Item | Why It Matters In California |
|---|---|
| Filing Date | Controls which U.S. Trustee median table applies. |
| Household Size | Changes the California income threshold, including the added amount above four people. |
| Six-Month Income | Uses income received in the six complete calendar months before filing, not simply current salary. |
| County | Can affect location-based housing and utility allowances used in Part 2. |
| Filing District | Determines the federal bankruptcy court that handles the case. |
Records To Gather For A California Review
- Pay statements and other income records for each of the six complete lookback months.
- Documents supporting household size and regular contributions from other household members.
- Housing, utility, vehicle, tax, insurance, child care, support, and secured-debt amounts that may matter in Part 2.
- The expected filing date and county, especially when the result is close to the median.
Official Resources: U.S. Trustee Means-Testing Data · IRS Local Housing And Utility Standards · U.S. Courts Court Locator
Over The California Median Is Not An Automatic Disqualification
Income above the California median does not automatically mean you are ineligible. It means Form 122A-2 applies additional allowed deductions before the full means-test result can be determined.
The Two Parts Of The California Means Test
Part 1 compares your annualized income with the California median for your household size. If your income is higher, Part 2 applies allowed deductions on Form 122A-2. Social Security benefits are generally excluded from current monthly income. Our national means test guide explains the two-part process in more detail.
Chapter 7 Compared With Other Debt Options
| Option | How It Works | When People Commonly Compare It |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter 7 | A federal bankruptcy process that may discharge qualifying unsecured debts. | When repayment is not realistic and the filer wants to understand eligibility and asset rules. |
| Chapter 13 | A court-supervised repayment plan that generally lasts three to five years. | When income, assets, secured debts, or other circumstances make Chapter 7 a less likely fit. |
| Debt Settlement | Eligible unsecured debts may be resolved for less than the full balance through negotiated agreements. | When someone wants to compare a nonbankruptcy path for qualifying unsecured debts. |
| Debt Consolidation | Multiple debts may be combined into a new loan or structured repayment approach. | When credit, income, and monthly cash flow may support repayment. |
If Chapter 7 Is Not The Right Fit In California
Chapter 7 is only one way to address unsecured debt. If bankruptcy is not the path you choose, compare debt settlement, Chapter 13, and consolidation based on eligibility, monthly affordability, timing, and the types of debt involved. You can check available debt relief options at no cost and with no obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income limit for Chapter 7 in California?
It is the California median family income for your household size. Effective July 15, 2026, it is $79,253 for 1 person, $102,797 for 2, $116,541 for 3, and $139,071 for 4, adding $11,100 per additional person. At or below that California figure, you generally pass Part 1.
What if my income is above the California median?
Being above the California median does not automatically disqualify you. Part 2 of the means test subtracts allowed living expenses, and many above-median California filers still qualify for Chapter 7 after those deductions.
How Is Household Size Determined For The California Means Test?
Household size can depend on the facts and the approach used by the applicable court. The calculator lets you compare household-size thresholds, but a bankruptcy attorney can help determine which household size applies to a filing.
Does this calculator run the full California means test?
No. It runs Part 1, the income screen, using the official July 15, 2026 medians. It does not calculate Part 2 expense deductions, so treat the result as a starting point and confirm with a licensed bankruptcy attorney.
Does Passing The California Means Test Guarantee Chapter 7 Eligibility?
No. The means test is one part of Chapter 7 eligibility. Debt type, prior filings, required counseling, asset and exemption questions, and other facts can also affect a case.
Is Social Security counted in the California means test?
Social Security benefits are generally excluded from current monthly income for the means test, though most other income is included. A bankruptcy attorney can confirm what counts in your specific situation.
Is Chapter 7 Or Debt Settlement A Better Fit For Credit Card Debt?
It depends on income, assets, debt amount, monthly affordability, timing, and whether a court filing is appropriate. Comparing both paths can help identify which questions to ask before deciding.
Official Sources
- U.S. Trustee Program: Means Testing Data For Cases Filed On Or After July 15, 2026
- United States Courts: Official Means Test Forms
Related Resources
- National Chapter 7 means test calculator
- Bankruptcy exemptions calculator
- Debt settlement vs. bankruptcy
- All debt and tax calculators
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