Texas Chapter 7 Means Test Calculator (2026): Do You Qualify?
If you're buried in debt and wondering whether you can wipe it out with Chapter 7 bankruptcy, everything starts with one hurdle: the means test. It sounds intimidating, but for most Texans it comes down to a single number — your household income compared to the Texas median. Use the calculator below to see instantly where you stand under the 2026 limits, then keep reading to understand what your result actually means.
Texas Chapter 7 Means Test Calculator (2026)
Check your household income against the current Texas median. Takes 10 seconds.
Estimate only, based on the median income (Part 1) test and current U.S. Trustee figures for cases filed in 2026. Not legal advice. The official calculation uses Bankruptcy Form 122A. Social Security benefits are excluded from means-test income.
What Is the Chapter 7 Means Test?
The Chapter 7 means test determines if you qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy by comparing your household income to the Texas median (for one person in 2024, that's $61,753). If your income is higher, we calculate your monthly disposable income to see if you can repay debts. Passing either part means you can file under Chapter 7.
The means test is a two-part formula Congress built into bankruptcy law to make sure Chapter 7 — the kind of bankruptcy that erases most unsecured debt in about 90 days — goes to people who genuinely can't afford to repay it.
- Part 1 — the median income test: Is your household income below the Texas median for your family size? If yes, you pass. You're done, and you don't have to prove anything else.
- Part 2 — the disposable income test: If your income is above the median, you're not disqualified. You subtract allowed living expenses (housing, transportation, food, taxes, and more). If little is left over each month, you can still file Chapter 7.
Here's the reassuring part: most people who come to us pass on Part 1 alone. The median is higher than most people expect, and the income that counts is narrower than you'd think.
2026 Texas Median Income Limits for Chapter 7
For Chapter 7 in 2026, you qualify under the means test if your household income is below the Texas median—$61,800 for one person, $82,400 for two, $92,300 for three, and $105,100 for four. Add $9,900 per additional family member. These figures apply based on your case filing date.
For cases filed in 2026, these are the Texas median income figures the means test compares you against:
| Household size | Annual median income |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $61,800 |
| 2 people | $82,400 |
| 3 people | $92,300 |
| 4 people | $105,100 |
| Each additional person | Add $9,900 |
So a family of five is measured against roughly $115,000, a family of six against about $124,900, and so on. These figures are based on current U.S. Trustee data and adjust periodically, so the number that applies is the one in effect on the day your case is filed.
What Income Actually Counts?
Your "current monthly income" is the average gross income from all sources (except Social Security) your household received in the six full months before filing, per 11 U.S.C. § 101(10A). A single large payment or raise is averaged out, so a one-time spike won’t necessarily cause you to fail the means test.
This is where most people breathe easier. The means test looks at your "current monthly income" — the average of your household's gross income over the six full months before filing, annualized. A few things that surprise people:
- A one-time spike doesn't sink you. Because it's a six-month average, a single large check or a recent raise gets smoothed out.
- Social Security is excluded entirely. Social Security retirement and disability benefits do not count toward the means test.
- If you recently lost income, waiting even a month or two can drop your six-month average below the median.
What If I'm Over the Median?
If your income is over Texas’s median (for example, $55,441 for a single filer in 2024), you can still qualify for Chapter 7 by applying allowed expense deductions. If not, Chapter 13 lets you keep your assets and stop foreclosure immediately while repaying unsecured debt—sometimes for just 10-15%—over three to five years.
Don't panic — being over the median is not the end of the road. It just moves you to Part 2, where your allowed monthly expenses are deducted from your income. Many Texans with above-median income still qualify for Chapter 7 once real-world expenses are counted.
And if you truly don't pass, Chapter 13 lets you keep everything, stop foreclosure or repossession immediately, and repay a portion of your debt over three to five years — often for pennies on the dollar of what you owe in unsecured debt. Passing the means test is not the only path to relief.
How Accurate Is This Calculator?
This calculator estimates your eligibility based on Texas median income limits (for example, $55,441 for a single filer as of 2024) using your inputs. It's a reliable first step, but the court uses Form 122A and reviews precise six-month figures and detailed expenses. For total accuracy, we recommend a free attorney review of your situation.
This tool gives you a fast, reliable read on Part 1 — the median income test that decides the outcome for most filers. It is an estimate, not legal advice. The official calculation happens on Bankruptcy Form 122A, which accounts for the exact six-month income window, household composition, and (if you're over median) dozens of expense deductions. The safest way to know for certain is a free case review — we've guided more than 13,000 Texans through this exact question.
Texas Chapter 7 Means Test FAQs (2026)
Your gross household income for the Texas Chapter 7 means test includes most sources—like wages, self-employment, and rental income—averaged over the previous six months. Social Security benefits are excluded under 11 U.S.C. § 101(10A). If you recently got a raise or lost income, only the last six full months are considered.
What income is included in the Texas means test?
Your household's gross income from almost all sources — wages, salary, self-employment, rental income, and regular contributions to the household — averaged over the six full months before filing. Social Security benefits are the main exclusion.
Does Social Security count toward the means test?
No. Social Security retirement and disability benefits are excluded from current monthly income for the means test.
What if I just got a raise or just lost my job?
The test uses a six-month average, not your current paycheck. A recent raise is diluted across six months, and if you recently lost income, waiting to file can lower your average below the Texas median.
Can I still file Chapter 7 if I'm over the median income?
Often, yes. Being over the median moves you to the second part of the means test, where allowed living expenses are deducted. Many above-median filers still qualify after those deductions.
How much does Chapter 7 cost in Texas?
Costs include the court filing fee plus attorney fees, and payment plans are available. See our full breakdown of Chapter 7 bankruptcy costs in Texas.
Ready to Know Where You Stand?
You just got an instant estimate — now get a definitive answer. Call (469) 607-8552 for a free, no-pressure case review with a Dallas bankruptcy attorney who has helped over 13,000 Texas families find relief. If Chapter 7 isn't your best fit, we'll tell you what is.
