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Official Form 122A-1 is the first gate for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. It averages your household income over the last 6 calendar months and compares it to your state’s median income. Below the median — you pass. Above — you need Form 122A-2 to deduct allowed expenses. The wizard calculates your figure, surfaces the comparison, and generates a signed-ready PDF.
The means test uses the last 6 calendar months of income to determine if your income is above or below your state’s median. If below, no presumption of abuse arises and you pass.
Used to compare against Census Bureau median income tables
Number of people in your household as of filing date
Social Security benefits (Title II and SSI) are explicitly excluded by 11 U.S.C. § 101(10A)(B). Veterans benefits and certain other payments may also be excluded — check with a bankruptcy attorney.
The U.S. Trustee Program at justice.gov/ust publishes quarterly tables by state and household size. Always use the table effective for the month your case is filed.
You must complete Form 122A-2. That form applies IRS National and Local Standards expense allowances plus actual allowed expenses. If allowable deductions bring your disposable monthly income below the threshold, you can still file Chapter 7.
Not directly. Chapter 13 uses a similar calculation (Form 122C-1/C-2) to determine the applicable commitment period (3 or 5 years) and projected disposable income for the repayment plan.
After the means test, build your expense schedule. Schedule J + Schedule I show the trustee your complete monthly cash flow picture.
Open Schedule J wizardTell the trustee what you plan to do with each piece of secured property — reaffirm the debt, redeem it, or surrender. Due within 30 days of filing.
Open intention wizardNot legal advice. SynthCounsel is not a law firm. The means test thresholds and allowed deductions change periodically. Always verify current median income tables at justice.gov/ust before filing.