Eric Pemper Founder, CuraDebt · Est. 2001
Tennessee Chapter 7 Means Test Calculator
Check The Tennessee Median Income Screen
Enter average gross monthly household income. Nothing entered here is stored.
Tennessee 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 | $63,979 | $5,332 | $31,990 |
| 2 | $82,846 | $6,904 | $41,423 |
| 3 | $97,511 | $8,126 | $48,756 |
| 4 | $109,585 | $9,132 | $54,793 |
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 Tennessee Six-Month Example
Assume a two-person Tennessee household received $6,213 in each of the six complete calendar months before filing. The six-month total would be $37,278, the current monthly average would be $6,213, and the annualized income would be $74,556. That is $8,290 below the two-person Tennessee 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 Tennessee Changes The Means-Test Estimate
The first comparison is not a national income limit. It uses the Tennessee median for the household size and the government table in effect on the filing date. On this page, the annual figures run from $63,979 for one person to $109,585 for four people, a difference of $45,606. A five-person Tennessee household would use $120,685 before moving to the expense portion of the test.
A Tennessee Close-To-The-Line Example
If a two-person household averaged $6,766 monthly during the six-month lookback period, its annualized income would be $81,192. That is only $1,654 below the current two-person Tennessee 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 Tennessee Can Matter
Tennessee is served by the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Tennessee. 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 Tennessee, so a statewide median-income result should not be treated as a complete eligibility decision.
| Item | Why It Matters In Tennessee |
|---|---|
| Filing Date | Controls which U.S. Trustee median table applies. |
| Household Size | Changes the Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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
Tennessee Median Income Limits For Chapter 7
| Household Size | Annual Median Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $63,979 |
| 2 | $82,846 |
| 3 | $97,511 |
| 4 | $109,585 |
| Each Person Above 4 | Add $11,100 |
These figures come from the U.S. Trustee Program table for cases filed on or after July 15, 2026. A later filing date may use a newer table.
How The Tennessee Chapter 7 Means Test Works
Part 1 annualizes the household income received during the six full calendar months before filing and compares it with the applicable Tennessee median. The legal definition of household income is more detailed than a current paycheck, so the calculator is a useful first screen rather than a filing determination.
What Happens If Income Is Above The Tennessee Median?
The next calculation uses allowed expenses and secured-debt obligations. Some above-median households still qualify. Compare Chapter 7 bankruptcy, Chapter 13 bankruptcy, and debt relief options before choosing a path.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Chapter 7 Income Limit In Tennessee?
For cases filed on or after July 15, 2026, the Tennessee median income figures are $63,979, $82,846, $97,511, $109,585 for households of 1 through 4. Add $11,100 for each additional person.
What If My Income Is Above The Tennessee Median?
Income above the median does not automatically disqualify you. The second part of the means test subtracts permitted expenses and may still show that Chapter 7 is available.
Does This Calculator Run The Full Tennessee Means Test?
No. It checks the first income comparison. The full test can include six months of income, allowed expenses, special circumstances, and other details.
Is Social Security Included In The Chapter 7 Means Test?
Social Security benefits are generally excluded from current monthly income for the bankruptcy means test. Other income rules can vary, so confirm the figures used for a filing.
Which Date Controls The Tennessee Median Income Figures?
The filing date controls which U.S. Trustee median income table applies. This calculator uses the table effective for cases filed on or after July 15, 2026.
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Prefer to talk now? Call 1-877-850-3328This calculator provides a first-step estimate and does not determine bankruptcy eligibility.
