Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Forms

Individuals who file for bankruptcy under Chapter 7 must complete a set of Official Bankruptcy Forms created by the Judicial Conference of the United States. These forms provide detailed information about income, expenses, assets, debts, and financial history. All forms must be used exactly as issued under Bankruptcy Rule 9009.

For an overview of bankruptcy forms across all chapters, see Bankruptcy Forms – AccountingPortal. The complete list of official forms is also available from the U.S. Courts: Official Bankruptcy Forms – U.S. Courts.

If you are new to the bankruptcy process and want a general introduction before focusing on Chapter 7 forms, review Bankruptcy Basics – U.S. Courts.

Chapter 7 Statement of Your Current Monthly Income (Official Form 122A-1)

Individuals filing under Chapter 7 must complete Official Form 122A-1, which calculates current monthly income and compares it with the state median family income for the household size. This comparison determines whether the debtor must complete the full means test.

• If income is at or below the state median, the debtor generally qualifies for Chapter 7 without completing Form 122A-2.
• If income is above the state median, the debtor must complete the Chapter 7 Means Test Calculation on Form 122A-2.

Married couples filing jointly may use one combined Form 122A-1 unless special exceptions apply under 11 U.S.C. §707(b)(2)(C).

Official resources:

• Official Form 122A-1 – Chapter 7 Statement of Your Current Monthly Income
• Instructions for Forms 122A-1 and 122C-1

Chapter 7 Means Test Calculation (Official Form 122A-2)

If Form 122A-1 shows income above the state median, the debtor must complete Official Form 122A-2, which calculates disposable income by applying:

• IRS National Standards for living expenses,
• Local Standards for housing and transportation,
• Other necessary expenses allowed by law,
• Payments on secured debts, and
• Priority claims.

If the result shows sufficient disposable income, a presumption of abuse arises under 11 U.S.C. §707(b). In that case, the law may require filing under another chapter, such as Chapter 13. Debtors may still rebut the presumption by demonstrating special circumstances, including certain medical expenses, job loss, or other necessary costs not fully reflected in the standard tables.

For a deeper explanation of how the means test works in practice, see Chapter 7 Means Test – Explanations (AccountingPortal).

Official resources:

• Official Form 122A-2 – Chapter 7 Means Test Calculation

IRS Allowable Living Expenses (National Standards)

The Chapter 7 means test relies on the IRS Collection Financial Standards, also called the National Standards, to determine allowable monthly living expenses. These standards set maximum amounts for categories such as food and housekeeping supplies, clothing and services, personal care, out-of-pocket health care and miscellaneous allowances.

These expense limits are mandatory in means-test calculations and are published for bankruptcy use by the U.S. Trustee Program.

IRS National Standards and Means Testing – U.S. Trustee Program

Census Bureau Median Family Income By Family Size

Form 122A-1 compares the debtor’s current monthly income with the official median family income for their state and household size. These figures are updated regularly and are based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, as published for bankruptcy purposes by the U.S. Trustee Program.

The median income thresholds determine whether a debtor must complete the full means test under 11 U.S.C. §707(b)(2).

Median Family Income Tables – U.S. Trustee Program

Other Required Chapter 7 Forms

In addition to the means-test forms, Chapter 7 debtors must complete various other official forms that disclose assets, liabilities, contracts, exemptions, income, expenses and financial history.

Key examples include:

• Official Form 101 – Voluntary Petition for Individuals Filing for Bankruptcy
• Official Forms 106 Series – Schedules A/B–J for Individual Debtors
• Official Form 107 – Statement of Financial Affairs
• Official Form 108 – Statement of Intention for Individuals Filing Under Chapter 7

Credit Counseling Requirement

Before filing a Chapter 7 case, most individual debtors must complete credit counseling with an approved nonprofit agency. The counseling must be obtained from an agency that appears on the official list of approved providers, and a certificate of completion is typically filed with the court.

Approved Credit Counseling Agencies

The U.S. Trustee Program maintains the official List of Approved Credit Counseling Agencies by State and Judicial District. Debtors must use an agency from this list to satisfy the pre-filing counseling requirement.

Approved Credit Counseling Agencies – U.S. Trustee Program (DOJ)

Alabama and North Carolina

Alabama and North Carolina do not participate in the U.S. Trustee Program. Instead, credit counseling oversight in these districts is handled by the Bankruptcy Administrator Program. Approved provider lists for these districts are available from the U.S. Courts.

Credit Counseling and Debtor Education – Bankruptcy Administrator Districts (U.S. Courts)

Debtor Education Requirement (Post-Filing)

In addition to pre-filing credit counseling, most individual Chapter 7 debtors must complete a personal financial management course, also known as debtor education, after filing the case. This course is separate from credit counseling and is required before the court will enter a discharge order.

Debtor education must be completed through an approved provider, and a certificate of completion must be filed on the appropriate official form. Failure to complete debtor education can result in the case closing without a discharge.

Approved Debtor Education Providers – U.S. Trustee Program (DOJ)

How Chapter 7 Forms Affect Eligibility and Discharge

The information provided on Chapter 7 forms is used to determine whether the debtor meets the Chapter 7 means test requirements, which property is exempt, which non-exempt assets may be liquidated by the trustee and whether a presumption of abuse exists under the Bankruptcy Code.

If the case is successfully completed and all requirements are met, including debtor education, the court issues a discharge, which eliminates many unsecured debts. However, certain debts are not dischargeable, including most tax debts, domestic support obligations (such as child support and alimony), most student loans, fines, penalties and criminal restitution, and debts arising from fraud or willful and malicious injury.

For the full list of nondischargeable debts and discharge rules, see 11 U.S.C. §§523 and 727.

Official Legal Authority

• Title 11, United States Code (Bankruptcy Code)
• Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure
• Rule 9009 – Use of Official Forms
• Judicial Conference Official Bankruptcy Forms
• U.S. Trustee Program – Means Testing Guidelines and Financial Standards
• U.S. Trustee Program – Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Requirements