Your household
What this checks
The means test under 11 U.S.C. § 707(b) decides whether a Chapter 7 case is presumed to be an abuse of the system. The first step, which is the part this tool computes, compares your annualized current monthly income to the median family income for your state and household size. If you are at or below the median, no presumption of abuse arises and you have passed the means test (Form 122A-1 ends there). If you are above the median, you move on to the second part (Form 122A-2), which subtracts allowed living expenses to determine disposable income.
How current monthly income works
Current monthly income (CMI) is the average of your gross income over the six full calendar months before filing, multiplied by 12. It includes wages, business and rental income, interest, dividends, and regular contributions to household expenses; it generally excludes Social Security benefits. Household-size counting and a few income inclusions involve judgment, so treat the result as a strong indicator, not a final determination.
Related resources
See the Chapter 7 means test guide, the Form 122A-2 deductions deep dive, the Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 comparison, and the deadline calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the bankruptcy means test?
The means test under 11 U.S.C. § 707(b) determines whether a Chapter 7 filing is presumed abusive. The first step compares your annualized current monthly income to the median family income for your state and household size. At or below the median, the presumption does not arise; above it, you complete Form 122A-2, which subtracts allowed expenses to find disposable income.
What is current monthly income?
Current monthly income (CMI) is your average monthly gross income from almost all sources during the six full calendar months before filing, multiplied by 12 to annualize it. Social Security benefits are generally excluded.
Which median-income figures does this use?
The U.S. Trustee Program's Census Bureau Median Family Income By Family Size table for cases filed on or after April 1, 2026. The UST updates the figures twice a year, effective April 1 and November 1, so confirm the set that matches your filing date.
Is this calculator legal advice?
No. It computes only the median-income step using the official UST figures. Household-size counting, income inclusions and exclusions, and the second-part deduction test involve judgment. Confirm with the official forms and a licensed attorney.