What if I’m barely over the median income for my state and want to file for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy anyway?

If you are over the median income and you do not pass the means test, you will probably have to file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy instead of Chapter 7. However, there is one small loophole, that allows you to give up to 15 percent of your income to charity, which may have the added benefit of putting you below the median income level, thus allowing you to file for Chapter 7 instead of Chapter 13 bankruptcy.