The Chapter 7 means test looks at your income to help determine whether you qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. It also determines whether the law presumes that using Chapter 7 would be an abuse of the bankruptcy system. If your income is below the Illinois median for your household size, that presumption generally does not apply. If your income is higher, you may need to complete a second calculation using certain allowed expenses.
If you’re weighing your options for debt relief in 2026, our DuPage County, IL bankruptcy lawyer, Eron McCormick, can tell you where you land before you file anything.
How Is Income Calculated for the Chapter 7 Means Test?
The starting point for the Chapter 7 means test is what the Bankruptcy Code calls current monthly income, defined in 11 U.S.C. § 101(10A). This is the average of your gross income over the six full calendar months before the month you file. That average is then multiplied by 12 to get an annual figure.