Legal calculator

Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator, Chapter 7 Eligibility

Check Chapter 7 bankruptcy eligibility by comparing your income to your state's median. Understand the bankruptcy means test and what it means for you.

Published by · Reviewed against primary-source formulas

This is a simplified Step 1 analysis only. Full means test involves detailed expense deductions. Always consult a bankruptcy attorney before filing.

$

All sources except Social Security. Include wages, rent, etc.

Your Annual Income

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Annualized (×12)

State Median

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For household size

Difference

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Above or below median

Step 1 Result

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Presumptive eligibility

How CalcMesh runs the bankruptcy means test

Chapter 7 eligibility depends on the means test, which compares your household income to the state median. According to the U.S. Department of Justice’s United States Trustee Program, filers below their state median generally pass; those above complete a second disposable-income calculation.

We compare your income to the U.S. Trustee Program’s published median-income figures for cases filed on or after July 15, 2026. Use the current U.S. Trustee Program table for states or household sizes not offered here. This is not legal advice.

Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13

Feature Chapter 7 Chapter 13
Duration~3-4 months3-5 years
Payment planNoYes
Keep assetsMostly (exemptions)Yes
Income limitMeans test requiredNo income limit
Credit impact10 years on report7 years on report

What Bankruptcy Discharges

  • Dischargeable: Credit card debt, medical bills, personal loans, utility bills, some older tax debt
  • NOT dischargeable: Student loans (usually), alimony/child support, recent taxes, DUI judgments, fraudulent debts

Filing Costs

  • Chapter 7 filing fee: $338
  • Chapter 13 filing fee: $313
  • Attorney fees: $1,500–$3,500 (Chapter 7), $3,000–$6,000 (Chapter 13)
  • Credit counseling certificate: $15–$50 (required before filing)

Disclaimer: This calculator provides a simplified Step 1 analysis only. The full means test involves complex expense calculations. Consult a licensed bankruptcy attorney before making any decisions.

Methodology & Assumptions

This calculator implements standard formulas drawn from primary-source authorities. Values are point-in-time estimates; consult a licensed professional for high-stakes decisions. See the per-input definitions and source citations below.

How this works

Computations are deterministic and run client-side, no inputs leave your browser. Formulas are derived from standard published formulas for the calculator's domain (mortgage, taxes, energy, conversions, etc.). When the underlying agency publishes updated rates or thresholds we refresh defaults and update the page's lastmod timestamp.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the bankruptcy means test?
The means test was created by the 2005 BAPCPA reform to prevent high-income people from filing Chapter 7. Step 1: compare your income to your state's median. If you're below, you likely qualify for Chapter 7. If above, you proceed to Step 2 which calculates disposable income after allowed expenses.
What counts as income for the means test?
All income received in the 6 calendar months before filing, averaged monthly. Includes: wages, salary, tips, bonuses, rental income, regular contributions from others. Does NOT include: Social Security, SSI, disability income, certain veterans benefits.
What if I fail the means test?
Failing means test Step 1 doesn't disqualify you from bankruptcy, you proceed to Step 2 (allowable expense deductions). Even if you fail Step 2, you can still file Chapter 13 (payment plan over 3-5 years). Chapter 7 is discharge in ~4 months with no payment plan.
How often do state median incomes change?
The U.S. Trustee Program publishes current state median-income figures for bankruptcy forms. The figures used must be current as of the filing date. This calculator includes the current published figures for the states it lists; use the U.S. Trustee Program table for any other state or household of five or more.

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This page identifies the inputs, method, and limitations behind its estimates. Calculator outputs are not professional advice and should be checked against the relevant primary source for a consequential decision. This calculator's formula and defaults are drawn from standard published sources for its domain, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.

Inputs, defaults, and authoritative sources
Input Default Source / authority
All inputs Domain-typical defaults Editorial methodology, CalcMesh 2026