Chapter 7 Means Test 2026: How It Works And Whether You'd Pass
Chapter 7 Means Test First-Screen Calculator
Enter monthly figures in both fields. The official median tables are annual: divide the applicable annual median by 12 before entering it here. Confirm the filing-date table and Form 122A-1 income rules first.
Curious where you'd likely land on the means test? Take the 10-second check below.
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.
How the Chapter 7 means test actually works
The means test screens for a presumption of abuse in Chapter 7 consumer cases. This calculator compares income only; it does not complete the legal calculation or decide whether to file. Use a bankruptcy attorney for case-specific advice.
Step 1: Add up your "current monthly income"
Use the six full calendar months before filing, not your latest paycheck. Official Form 122A-1 has income categories and exclusions, including Social Security Act benefits. Business income is not simply gross receipts. Verify which household and spouse amounts apply before entering a monthly average.
For example, a filing on October 20 uses April 1 through September 30. The partial month of October is not part of that six-month period.
Hypothetical example: your countable income was $6,000 a month for three months, then $2,000 a month for three months. The six-month total is $24,000. Divide by six to get $4,000 in average monthly income, or $48,000 when annualized. Enter $4,000 in this page’s monthly-income field, not just the latest $2,000 month. This example explains the averaging step; it does not establish eligibility or a state median cutoff.
Step 2: Compare it to your state's median income
Use the filing-date table for your state and household size. At or below the applicable median generally removes the need for Form 122A-2, not every Chapter 7 eligibility requirement. An income comparison alone is not a filing decision.
Step 3: If you're over the median, run the second part
Being above the median does not automatically disqualify you. You move to the second part, which subtracts allowed living expenses, many based on IRS national and local standards for things like food, housing, and transportation, from your income to calculate your "disposable income." If what is left over a five-year window is small enough, you can still pass.
Step 4: Understand what passing (or failing) means
A first-screen result is not approval to file or a promise of discharge. Above-median filers need the applicable calculation and legal review. Chapter 13 can be an alternative, but eligibility and affordability must be assessed separately.
This is an estimate, not a verdict
It is also worth stepping back and asking whether bankruptcy is even the path you want. For unsecured debt like credit cards and medical bills, many people resolve the situation without filing at all. It helps to see the full range of debt relief options before assuming the courtroom is the only door.
If you'd rather not file at all
Compare alternatives on total cost, affordable monthly contributions, collection risks and credit effects, not just avoidance of a filing. Debt settlement addresses eligible unsecured debts but creditors need not agree, and lawsuits, added charges and possible canceled-debt tax can remain. For services covered by the FTC Telemarketing Sales Rule, collecting a settlement fee requires a negotiated result, consumer agreement and at least one payment under that agreement. CuraDebt is a matching service, not a law firm.
Your next step
You do not have to figure this out alone. A quick review can line up the non-court options, settlement, a debt management plan, consolidation, against your actual numbers, so you see whether you can avoid filing before you commit to it. It takes about a minute and there is no obligation. For the means test and any bankruptcy filing itself, consult a licensed attorney in your state.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Chapter 7 means test?
The means test screens for a presumption of abuse in Chapter 7 consumer cases. It starts with the income comparison; above-median filers generally complete the allowed-expense calculation on Form 122A-2. It does not decide every eligibility or discharge issue.
How do I pass the Chapter 7 means test?
At or below the applicable median generally clears the first income screen. Above-median income is not automatic failure: allowed expenses and applicable legal rules matter. Neither result guarantees eligibility. A bankruptcy attorney can verify the required forms and other requirements.
What income counts for the means test?
Use Form 122A-1's income categories, household amounts and exclusions over the six full calendar months before filing. It is not just current take-home pay: wages use gross amounts, business income has operating-expense treatment, and Social Security Act benefits are excluded. Confirm the instructions for your situation.
What are the 2026 median income figures for the means test?
There is no single national salary cutoff. Select the U.S. Trustee Program table that applies to the filing date, state and household size. The applicable figures can change. This calculator needs a monthly median, so divide the official annual figure by 12.
Does being over the median mean I can't file Chapter 7?
No. Being above the median simply moves you to the second part of the test, which subtracts allowed living expenses to calculate disposable income. Many over-median filers still qualify because real expenses like a mortgage, childcare, and health costs reduce disposable income below the threshold.
Is this Chapter 7 means test calculator legal advice?
No. The check on this page is a simplified, educational illustration, not the official means test and not legal advice. The real test uses current median figures, IRS expense standards, and official bankruptcy forms. Only a licensed bankruptcy attorney can tell you whether you truly qualify.
What happens if I fail the means test?
Failing the Chapter 7 means test generally points you toward Chapter 13 bankruptcy, where you repay part of your debt through a court-approved plan over three to five years. It does not mean you have no options, and for unsecured debt, non-court alternatives may still apply.
Do I have to file bankruptcy if I pass the means test?
No. Clearing the means-test screen is not a requirement to file, nor a guarantee of eligibility or discharge. Compare options with appropriate professional advice.
What is the main alternative to Chapter 7 bankruptcy?
Alternatives include direct creditor arrangements, credit counseling, debt management and eligible unsecured-debt settlement. Compare affordability, fees, credit effects and collection risks; a creditor need not agree to settle.
How do I find out whether I can avoid filing bankruptcy?
The simplest first step is to submit the quick form with your approximate debt amount. It takes about a minute and there is no obligation. CuraDebt is a free matching service that connects you with licensed, independent providers so you can compare settlement and other non-court options against your situation before deciding. For the means test and any filing, consult a licensed attorney.
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