Timing Can Be Crucial for Passing the Means Test

 Posted on July 10, 2017 in Chapter 7

With smart timing you can take advantage of the unusual way that your “income” is calculated for the Chapter 7 means test.

Passing the Means Test

We introduced the means test a couple of weeks ago and said that many people pass this test simply by having low enough income. Their income is no larger than the published median income for their state and family size.

We also explained that income for this purpose has an unusual definition. It includes:

• not just employment income but virtually all funds received from all sources—including from irregular ones like child and spousal support payments, insurance settlements, cash gifts from relatives, and unemployment benefits (but excluding Social Security);
• funds received ONLY during the 6 FULL CALENDAR months before the date of filing, multiplied by two for the annual amount.

In other words, if you file a Chapter 7 case on any day of July, you count all funds received during the period January 1 through June 30. Then you double it and compare that to the applicable median income amount.

This very broad definition of “income” received within this very definite time period has some important tactical consequences for you. Under the right facts your “income” for the means test could shift significantly if you file your Chapter 7 case one month vs. the next. It could increase or reduce your “income” by enough to qualify or not qualify under Chapter 7.

We’ll show how this is possible through the following example.

An Example

Assume the following facts:

• You have employment income grossing $3,750 per month that you consistently earned and received through the last several years.
• Back in January you also received a modest auto insurance settlement of $2,500 from an insurance company.
• The median annual income for your state and family size is $46,412.

Your “income” for means test purposes in July is:

• 6 times $3,750 employment income = $22,500.
• $22,500 plus $2,500 insurance proceeds = $25,000 total income from January 1 through June 30.
• $25,000 times 2 = $50,000 annually.

Since $50,000 is more than the applicable median annual income amount of $46,412, you don’t pass the means test. (At least you don’t on the first income-only step. You may still pass by going through the expenses part of the test, but that’s beyond today’s blog post.)

So what happens if you don’t file your Chapter 7 case in July but rather wait until August? Here is the new income calculation:

• 6 times $3,750 employment income = $22,500.
• There’s no additional $2,500 from the insurance settlement because you received it in January while the pertinent 6-month period now is February 1 through July 31.
• So $22,500 times 2 = $45,000 annually.

Since $45,000 is less than the applicable median annual income amount of $46,412, you now pass the means test. You qualify for Chapter 7.