If you want to use Chapter 7 bankruptcy to get rid of debt, your income can't exceed the Chapter 7 income limits or you won't pass the Chapter 7 bankruptcy "means test." If you're a low-income filer, you'll likely qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy based on your gross income alone. However, even higher-income filers sometimes qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy after deducting high-priority expenses.
But working with the Chapter 7 means test can get complicated quickly. To simplify the process, consider learning:
If you already know your gross income is too high to qualify for Chapter 7 and want to know which expenses will help you pass, skip to the "Expenses That Will Help You Pass the Means Test" section below.
There isn't one. Chapter 7 bankruptcy doesn't have one particular "passing" income amount. Instead, the means test considers your entire financial picture to determine whether you're barely scraping by or have money at the end of the month to pay creditors.
Chances are you'll qualify if you're not making much and living frugally or if your income, essential expenses, and "priority debts" are high. People who won't qualify for Chapter 7? Those with excess income after paying allowed debts. They'll have to use Chapter 13 instead.
The Chapter 7 means test measures your "means" or ability to pay back creditors, and it takes many factors into account, including:
Each factor is used in a different part of a three-part test. Depending on your results, you might not need to complete each part.
Some pass the Chapter 7 means test because they're exempt and don't need to take it. Other filers fall within the income limits set by their state. And some filers have income that exceeds the state limit, but they qualify because they have a lot of allowed expenses and debt.
Here's a simplified way to understand the three ways you can meet Chapter 7 financial eligibility requirements.
You'll find more details below. We explain the easiest qualification method first and move on to progressively harder methods. If you get lost, consult with a local bankruptcy attorney.
Not everyone has to qualify for Chapter 7. If you fall within one of these categories, you'll be exempt from taking the bankruptcy means test.
Some states classify personal tax debt and student loan obligations as business debt, so individual filers in those states might also be able to avoid taking the means test.
If you're like most filers, you're not exempt from taking the means test. You'll start your qualification determination by checking whether your gross income is low enough for Chapter 7.
Here's what you'll do.
The test doesn't look at your true yearly income but instead doubles the amount you've earned over the last six months. You'll add all income earned from all sources during the full six months immediately before filing and multiply the amount by two.
Here are examples of the types of income you'll include:
Here's what you'll do to compare your yearly income to your state's income limits chart.
Learn how your household size affects the Chapter 7 means test.
You'll pass the means test if your yearly income figure doesn't exceed the allowed amount. Otherwise, take the next portion of the means test.
If your gross income is too high to pass the means test, you'll have another opportunity to qualify. The last section lets you deduct certain expenses from your income.
It's a reverse Chapter 13 payment plan calculation. You'll deduct the same expenses you'd take in Chapter 13.
If you have money remaining, or "disposable income," you won't qualify for Chapter 7 and must use Chapter 13 instead. Why? Because fairness (and bankruptcy law) requires you to use the extra money to repay debts instead of "discharging" or wiping them out in Chapter 7.
If you don't have any disposable income, you wouldn't be able to pay any of the debts you'd erase in Chapter 7 in Chapter 13. Because none of your creditors would benefit from forcing you into Chapter 13, you'll qualify for Chapter 7.
Larger deductions are more helpful, so we list more impactful categories (the debts you can expect a bankruptcy lawyer to ask about when qualifying you) toward the top.
These aren't the only expenses that can reduce your income for Chapter 7 purposes. Consider consulting a local bankruptcy lawyer for help.
After deducting all allowed expenses, if you have disposable income that could be used to pay back debt (specifically nonpriority unsecured debts), you won't qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
The amount of disposable income you'll need must be enough to make it worthwhile for the Chapter 13 trustee to oversee a repayment plan. "One dollar" wouldn't be enough. The disposable income amount changes every three years and is listed at the end of the Chapter 7 Means Test Calculation form.
If you fail the means test, you might be able to use Chapter 13 to discharge debt, but qualifying isn't automatic. Some people make too much for Chapter 7 but don't earn enough to pay the debt filers must pay in Chapter 13. Learn when Chapter 13 is better than Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Most people assume you want to file for Chapter 7 if you ask about the means test. But technically, Chapter 13 has means test forms too. Chapter 13 means test forms determine whether a filer must pay into a three- or five-year plan and the amount of disposable income available to pay creditors.
Specifically, suppose you qualify for Chapter 7 but decide to file Chapter 13 instead. In that case, you'd be able to pay into a shorter three-year plan and your plan payment requirements wouldn't be as stringent. Filers who don't qualify for Chapter 7 must pay all of their disposable income into a five-year plan.
From a practical perspective, most filers opt for a five-year Chapter 13 plan because the additional time lets the filer pay a more affordable amount over time. Learn more about how long a Chapter 13 plan must last.
When filing for Chapter 13, the key question isn't whether you "pass" the means test but whether you propose a plan the bankruptcy court will approve or "confirm." The court won't confirm a Chapter 13 plan unless your creditors get the amount they're entitled to receive in bankruptcy.
Learn more about the Chapter 13 confirmation hearing.
Bankruptcy has lots of rules you must follow. For instance, a waiting period must elapse if you've previously filed for bankruptcy. Also, how long you've lived in the state will determine where you file and the bankruptcy exemptions you'll use to protect your property. You'll find many of these rules in state bankruptcy articles.
But that's just the beginning. A local bankruptcy lawyer can explain the bankruptcy requirements applicable to your case.
Did you know Nolo has been making the law easy for over fifty years? It's true—and we want to make sure you find what you need. Below you'll find more articles explaining how bankruptcy works. And don't forget that our bankruptcy homepage is the best place to start if you have other questions!
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