Chapter 7 Means Test Calculator
Chapter 7 Means Test Calculator — Do You Qualify?
What this calculator does
Chapter 7 has a means test based on income and household size. If you're asking whether you should file for bankruptcy, this preview shows the first gate: whether your income falls under your state's median. Simplified preview, not legal advice.
The math, with a worked example
Annual income = monthly income × 12. If annual income is below state median income for your household size, you likely pass. A $4,000 monthly income in California for a 2-person household is $48,000 annually, below the median and likely eligible.
Why this matters
Chapter 7 eligibility starts with the means test: household income under your state's median usually passes, and passing means qualifying debts can be discharged entirely. Knowing that number before you pay for a consultation changes the whole conversation. This preview gives you the starting answer in minutes.
Methodology and transparency
The math is one comparison: monthly income × 12 against your state's median income for your household size — the same first gate as official Form 122A-1, which compares against the U.S. Trustee Program's median family income data. The assumption most likely to be wrong for you: the real means test uses a 6-month lookback average of nearly all income sources, not just your current paycheck, so a recent raise or job loss can put your actual number on the other side of the line. Everything runs in your browser; no data is sent or stored.
Last reviewed: 2026-08-08
Common questions
Is this a legal opinion?
No. Consult a bankruptcy attorney for an accurate means test.
What if I fail the means test?
Chapter 13 repayment plan may still be an option.
Should I cash out my 401k instead of filing?
Usually a costly mistake. Retirement accounts like 401ks are generally protected in Chapter 7, so draining one to pay debts that bankruptcy could discharge trades protected money for the 10% penalty plus income tax on the way out.