Eric Pemper Founder, CuraDebt · Est. 2001
North Carolina Chapter 7 Means Test Calculator (2026)
The North Carolina Chapter 7 Means Test (Part 1)
Compare your household income to the North Carolina median for your household size, using U.S. Trustee figures Effective April 1, 2026. Nothing you enter is stored.
North Carolina 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 | $67,117 | $5,593 | $33,559 |
| 2 | $84,384 | $7,032 | $42,192 |
| 3 | $101,535 | $8,461 | $50,768 |
| 4 | $116,737 | $9,728 | $58,369 |
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 North Carolina Six-Month Example
Assume a two-person North Carolina household received $6,329 in each of the six complete calendar months before filing. The six-month total would be $37,974, the current monthly average would be $6,329, and the annualized income would be $75,948. That is $8,436 below the two-person North Carolina 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 North Carolina Changes The Means-Test Estimate
The first comparison is not a national income limit. It uses the North Carolina median for the household size and the government table in effect on the filing date. On this page, the annual figures run from $67,117 for one person to $116,737 for four people, a difference of $49,620. A five-person North Carolina household would use $127,837 before moving to the expense portion of the test.
A North Carolina Close-To-The-Line Example
If a two-person household averaged $6,891 monthly during the six-month lookback period, its annualized income would be $82,692. That is only $1,692 below the current two-person North Carolina 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 North Carolina Can Matter
North Carolina is served by the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina. 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 North Carolina, so a statewide median-income result should not be treated as a complete eligibility decision.
| Item | Why It Matters In North Carolina |
|---|---|
| Filing Date | Controls which U.S. Trustee median table applies. |
| Household Size | Changes the North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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
The Two Parts Of The North Carolina Means Test
Part 1 in North Carolina is the income screen above: your annualized income against the North Carolina median for your household size. Clear it and you generally qualify. If your North Carolina income is higher, Part 2 deducts housing, transportation, taxes, and support on Form 122A-2, and a large share of North Carolina filers pass there. Social Security generally does not count. Our national means test guide covers Part 2 in detail.
Over The North Carolina Median Is Not A Dead End
A North Carolina income above the median just means Part 2 decides it. After the allowed North Carolina living-expense deductions, a real share of filers qualify anyway. And if Chapter 7 is not right for you, settlement or Chapter 13 can each solve the problem in a different way.
If Chapter 7 Is Not The Right Fit In North Carolina
Not everyone in North Carolina who can file Chapter 7 should, and not everyone qualifies. If bankruptcy is not the path, a North Carolina debt settlement program may reduce what you owe without a court filing; compare the cost, credit impact, and timeline first. 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 North Carolina?
It is the North Carolina median family income for your household size. Effective April 1, 2026, it is $65,396 for 1 person, $82,221 for 2, $98,932 for 3, and $113,744 for 4, adding $11,100 per additional person. At or below that North Carolina figure, you generally pass Part 1.
What if my income is above the North Carolina median?
Being above the North Carolina median does not automatically disqualify you. Part 2 of the means test subtracts allowed living expenses, and many above-median North Carolina filers still qualify for Chapter 7 after those deductions.
Does this calculator run the full North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina, 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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