Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator

The first step of the Chapter 7 means test compares your income with the median family income for your state and household size. Enter your numbers to run that comparison, using the steps on the official form.

What income to count

Form 122A-1 asks for income before payroll deductions and lists these sources:

Wages, salary, tips, bonuses, overtime and commissions
Alimony and maintenance payments
Amounts regularly paid for household expenses of you or your dependents, including child support
Net income from a business, profession or farm
Net income from rental and other real property
Interest, dividends and royalties
Unemployment compensation
Pension or retirement income
Income from all other sources

What the form leaves out

Benefits under the Social Security Act
Payments received as a victim of a war crime, a crime against humanity, or international or domestic terrorism
Compensation, pension, pay, annuity or allowance from the United States Government in connection with a disability, combat-related injury or disability, or death of a member of the uniformed services (the form has a special rule for retired pay under chapter 61 of title 10)

Whose income to include

Not married: your income only.
Married and your spouse is filing with you: both incomes.
Married, spouse not filing, same household and not legally separated: both incomes.
Married, spouse not filing, and legally separated or living apart for reasons that do not include evading the means test: your income only. You declare this under penalty of perjury.

How this calculator works

It follows Parts 1 and 2 of Official Form 122A-1: it divides your income for the 6 full months before filing by 6, multiplies by 12, and compares the result with the U.S. Trustee Program's median family income for your state and household size.

What can change the result

It covers only this first comparison. If your figure is above the median, Form 122A-2 decides whether a presumption of abuse applies, and this tool does not do that calculation.
The result depends on which income you count and how many people are in your household. Check the form and its separate instructions.
The form has a separate statement (Form 122A-1Supp) for people who believe they are exempt because they do not have primarily consumer debts or because of qualifying military service.
The median table applies to cases filed on or after the date shown and is updated from time to time, so check it again if you file later.
Passing this comparison does not decide whether bankruptcy, or Chapter 7, is right for you.

Rules used by this calculator: Last verified against official sources: November 1, 2026.

Median figures apply to bankruptcy cases filed on or after July 15, 2026; add $11,100 for each person over 4. Sources: Official Form 122A-1 and the U.S. Trustee Program median income table. This is a general estimate, not legal advice.

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Frequently asked questions

How is income calculated for the bankruptcy means test?

Official Form 122A-1 uses the average monthly income you received from all sources during the 6 full months before you file. If you file on September 15, the 6-month period is March 1 through August 31. That average is multiplied by 12 and compared with the median family income for your state and household size.

What happens if my income is above the median?

On Form 122A-1, income above the median means you fill out Form 122A-2, which determines whether a presumption of abuse applies. If your income is at or below the median, the form says there is no presumption of abuse and you do not fill out Form 122A-2.

Does my spouse's income count in the means test?

Form 122A-1 includes a spouse's income if you are filing together, or if your spouse is not filing but you live in the same household and are not legally separated. It is left out if you are legally separated or living apart for reasons that do not include evading the means test.

How we source this page: each state-specific rule links to the statute, court rule or official government page it comes from. A rule taken from a public copy of a state code (used only where the official code is not freely readable online) is marked as a secondary source. Spot an error? Use the contact page to report it. About our sources

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.