The Bankruptcy Means Test -- Income Issues
Your income plays a large role as to whether you can pass the Chapter 7 bankruptcy means test. The means test looks at your "current monthly income" (CMI), which is the average monthly income you received during the six-months before you filed for bankruptcy. You then compare your income to the median income for the same size family in your state. For the means test, you'll have to know what types of income must be included, how to compare your income to the state median income, and how to determine your household size.
To learn more about the means test, visit our Bankruptcy Means Test topic page.
Learn what current monthly income (CMI) is for the Chapter 7 bankruptcy means test.
You'll qualify for Chapter 7 if your family's gross income is lower than the state's median income. Learn where to find state median income figures and what to do if your income exceeds the median.
Find out who is included in your household for purposes of the means test.
Are Social Security and unemployment income counted in the bankruptcy means test?
Learn about the means test and veteran bankruptcies, including whether disabled veterans are exempt from the means test and whether veterans' benefits count as income for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
If you file for bankruptcy without your spouse, you still must include your spouse's income on your bankruptcy forms.
The bankruptcy means test median family income amounts change each year. Learn where to find the latest figures for all states, commonwealth, and United States territories.
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