The means test in Massachusetts: median income

Check your income against the Massachusetts median, and see what the second step and Chapter 13 involve.

Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026.

Short answer

The U.S. Trustee Program publishes these medians for Massachusetts. Income below the median for your household size passes the first step.

1 person
$88,202
2 people
$112,708
3 people
$139,411
4 people
$178,524
Each extra person
+$11,100
Medians apply to cases filed on or after
April 1, 2026

Check the first step in Massachusetts

Official Form 122A-1 compares your household's yearly income with the median income in Massachusetts. Here are the official medians:

  • 1 person$88,202
  • 2 people$112,708
  • 3 people$139,411
  • 4 people$178,524
  • Each extra person+$11,100

Applies to cases filed on or after April 1, 2026. 1 = one earner; 2, 3, 4 = people in the household; add = amount added for each person over 4

The numbers are worked out in your browser. Nothing you enter here is saved or sent.

Before taxes. Add up all income for the last 6 months and divide by 6.

Enter your household size and income

Massachusetts bankruptcy courts and divisions

You file in the federal bankruptcy district where you lived (your domicile) for most of the 180 days before you file. Massachusetts has one district, with offices in Boston, Worcester and Springfield. See the court's locations page: https://www.mab.uscourts.gov/court-info/court-locations

Law: 28 U.S.C. 1408

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts

Divisions: Boston, Worcester, Springfield

Clerk's phone: (617) 748-5300

Court's self-help page

Massachusetts exemptions in brief

In Massachusetts you choose state or federal exemptions (exemptions are the property the law lets you keep).

Home (homestead): automatic homestead: $125,000 with no paperwork.

Car or other vehicle: Up to $7,500 in wholesale resale value in a car needed for personal transportation or work. Up to $15,000 if you are handicapped or 60 or older.

Wildcard (any property): $1,000 in any personal property, plus up to $5,000 of any unused amount of the household furniture, tools of trade and car exemptions.

Exemptions in Massachusetts

In nearby states

  • Rhode Island: 1 person $77,653 · 2 people $98,736 · 3 people $119,419 · 4 people $137,479
  • Connecticut: 1 person $84,302 · 2 people $106,224 · 3 people $134,470 · 4 people $159,934
  • Vermont: 1 person $72,461 · 2 people $96,963 · 3 people $114,075 · 4 people $137,583
  • New York: 1 person $73,272 · 2 people $92,902 · 3 people $115,579 · 4 people $139,040
  • New Jersey: 1 person $87,173 · 2 people $106,876 · 3 people $137,136 · 4 people $168,127
  • Maine: 1 person $75,892 · 2 people $90,445 · 3 people $106,822 · 4 people $131,577

What to do now in Massachusetts

  1. Gather your income

    Add every source of household income for the last 6 months.

  2. Start with Form 122A-1

    The court uses Official Form 122A-1.

  3. Above the median?

    Next comes the expense calculation on Official Form 122A-2.

Where to get free help in Massachusetts

Questions about the means test in Massachusetts

What is the homestead exemption in Massachusetts?

Automatic homestead: $125,000 with no paperwork. Declared homestead: $1,000,000 if you sign and record a homestead declaration at the registry of deeds before you file.

Where do I file bankruptcy in Massachusetts?

You file in the federal bankruptcy district where you lived (your domicile) for most of the 180 days before you file. Massachusetts has one district, with offices in Boston, Worcester and Springfield. See the court's locations page: https://www.mab.uscourts.gov/court-info/court-locations

What is the median income for the means test in Massachusetts?

For cases filed on or after April 1, 2026: 1 person: $88,202; 2 people: $112,708; 3 people: $139,411; 4 people: $178,524; Each extra person: +$11,100.

Is there free bankruptcy help in Massachusetts?

Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Boston Bar Association, Community Legal Aid (Central and Western Massachusetts) and South Coastal Counties Legal Services.

Related Massachusetts pages