2026 median income limits for Wisconsin by household size. Free calculator and filing guide.
The table below shows the approximate annual and monthly income thresholds for Wisconsin by household size. If your annualized income (6-month average multiplied by 12) is at or below the figure for your household size, you pass Part 1 of the means test.
| Household Size | Annual Median | Monthly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $70,092 | $5,841 |
| 2 persons | $91,120 | $7,593 |
| 3 persons | $106,540 | $8,878 |
| 4 persons | $124,063 | $10,339 |
| 5 persons | $135,163 | $11,264 |
| 6 people | $146,263 | $12,189 |
For each additional person above 4, add approximately $11,100 to the 4-person figure.
Enter your income and household size to get an instant result.
Open CalculatorAvailable
Wisconsin is one of the states that allows bankruptcy filers to choose between state exemptions and federal bankruptcy exemptions (11 U.S.C. Section 522(d)). This gives filers more flexibility to protect their property. In many cases, the federal exemptions offer higher protection for personal property, while state exemptions may provide better homestead coverage. A careful comparison of both sets is essential before filing.
2 districts
Wisconsin has 2 federal bankruptcy districts. The district where you file depends on where you have lived for the greater part of the last 180 days. Each district may have different local rules and procedures, so check the local rules for your specific district before filing.
The single-person median income threshold in Wisconsin is $70,092, which is near the national middle range. Filers whose income is close to this threshold should carefully average their last 6 calendar months of gross income. If one or two months had unusually high income (bonus, overtime, severance), waiting for those months to fall outside the 6-month window can change the result.
Numbers from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database covering 1,541 consumer bankruptcy cases filed in Wisconsin federal bankruptcy courts. These are actual case outcomes - not estimates - and show what really happens after filing.
| Chapter | Cases Filed | Discharge Rate | Dismissal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapter 7 | 953 | 99.4% | 0.4% |
| Chapter 13 | 588 | 48.1% | 51.9% |
61.8% of consumer filings
38.2% of consumer filings
Wisconsin shows a Chapter 13 discharge rate of 48% in resolved cases, which is in the middle of the national distribution. Completion is meaningfully easier here than in the highest-dismissal districts, but still far from guaranteed. Chapter 7 in Wisconsin is a high-completion path: 99% of resolved filings receive discharge. For filers who pass the means test, this is a reliable outcome. Wisconsin files more Chapter 7 than Chapter 13 (61.8% vs 38.2%), consistent with a state where median income supports more below-median filers and fewer debtors needing a 3-5 year repayment structure.
Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only; pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database.
There is no single income limit. The means test compares your annualized income (6-month average times 12) to the median income for your household size. For a single person in Wisconsin, the current median is approximately $70,092 per year. For a family of four, it is approximately $124,063. If your income is below the median for your household size, you pass Part 1 of the means test.
Yes. Wisconsin allows bankruptcy filers to choose between state exemptions and federal bankruptcy exemptions under 11 U.S.C. Section 522(d). You must choose one complete set - you cannot mix and match individual exemptions from both. Compare both sets carefully with attention to the homestead, vehicle, and wildcard exemptions.
Failing Part 1 of the means test (having above-median income) does not disqualify you. You must then complete Part 2 (Form 122A-2), which deducts allowable expenses - including IRS standard amounts, actual secured debt payments, taxes, insurance, and child care. Many above-median filers pass Part 2. If you still do not pass, Chapter 13 is an alternative that allows debt repayment over 3 to 5 years with no income ceiling.
Free tools and guides from the Open Bankruptcy Project.
Means Test Calculator Exemptions by StateOur research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5