Eric Pemper Founder, CuraDebt · Est. 2001
New York Chapter 7 Means Test Calculator (2026)
The New York Chapter 7 Means Test (Part 1)
Compare your household income to the New York median for your household size, using U.S. Trustee figures Effective April 1, 2026. Nothing you enter is stored.
New York 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 | $73,272 | $6,106 | $36,636 |
| 2 | $92,902 | $7,742 | $46,451 |
| 3 | $115,579 | $9,632 | $57,790 |
| 4 | $139,040 | $11,587 | $69,520 |
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 New York Six-Month Example
Assume a two-person New York household received $6,968 in each of the six complete calendar months before filing. The six-month total would be $41,808, the current monthly average would be $6,968, and the annualized income would be $83,616. That is $9,286 below the two-person New York 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 New York Changes The Means-Test Estimate
The first comparison is not a national income limit. It uses the New York median for the household size and the government table in effect on the filing date. On this page, the annual figures run from $73,272 for one person to $139,040 for four people, a difference of $65,768. A five-person New York household would use $150,140 before moving to the expense portion of the test.
A New York Close-To-The-Line Example
If a two-person household averaged $7,587 monthly during the six-month lookback period, its annualized income would be $91,044. That is only $1,858 below the current two-person New York 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 New York Can Matter
New York is served by the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of New York. 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 New York, so a statewide median-income result should not be treated as a complete eligibility decision.
| Item | Why It Matters In New York |
|---|---|
| Filing Date | Controls which U.S. Trustee median table applies. |
| Household Size | Changes the New York 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 New York 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
Reading Your New York Means Test Result
The New York test is not a single number. Part 1 checks your income against the New York median for your size; Part 2 (Form 122A-2) then subtracts allowed expenses if you are over. Plenty of New York households that look over the New York median still qualify once those costs come out, and Social Security is generally left out of the income figure. The full means test guide walks through the deductions.
If You Are Above The New York Median
Being above the New York median does not end it. Part 2 subtracts allowed expenses, and many above-median New York filers still pass. If Chapter 7 does not fit, Chapter 13, debt settlement, or a debt management plan might. Bankruptcy is a lasting decision, so compare the options first.
Other Ways Out Of Debt In New York
Chapter 7 is one tool, not the only one. Many New York households resolve their debt through settlement or a management plan instead of a filing, each with its own trade-offs on cost, credit, and time. It is worth seeing which fits before you decide. There is no cost to check available options, and there is no obligation to continue. CuraDebt is not a law firm and does not provide legal or tax advice. Results vary and are not guaranteed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income limit for Chapter 7 in New York?
It is the New York median family income for your household size. Effective April 1, 2026, it is $71,393 for 1 person, $90,520 for 2, $112,616 for 3, and $135,475 for 4, adding $11,100 per additional person. At or below that New York figure, you generally pass Part 1.
What if my income is above the New York median?
Being above the New York median does not automatically disqualify you. Part 2 of the means test subtracts allowed living expenses, and many above-median New York filers still qualify for Chapter 7 after those deductions.
Does this calculator run the full New York means test?
No. It runs Part 1, the income screen, using the official April 1, 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.
Is Social Security counted in the New York 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.
Does CuraDebt give legal advice or file bankruptcy in New York, and is it a law firm?
There is no cost to check available options, and there is no obligation to continue. CuraDebt is not a law firm and does not provide legal or tax advice. Results vary and are not guaranteed.
Related Resources
- National Chapter 7 means test calculator
- Bankruptcy exemptions calculator
- Debt settlement vs. bankruptcy
- All debt and tax calculators
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