Forms & Filing
Bankruptcy forms, explained
The official forms you file are the same in every state. Here is how to understand Schedules I and J, where to find the actual forms, what local forms to watch for, and what the required courses and filing fees cost.
Educational, not legal advice
Understanding Schedules I and J
Schedules I and J are the two official forms where you describe your current monthly income and expenses at the time you file. They are separate from the means test (Form 122), which uses a six-month average of income and standardized deductions. Schedules I and J show your actual, present-day cash flow.
Schedule I — Your Income
Reports your current monthly income at the time of filing — what you actually receive now from each source, including employment, business, rent, child support, government benefits, and retirement. You also state whether any income is expected to increase or decrease in the next 12 months.
View the official form & instructionsWhat it asks
- Gross wages, salary, commissions, and bonuses from employment (and whether the amounts are deducted from your pay)
- Net income from operating a business, profession, or farm
- Rental or other income from real or personal property
- Interest and dividends
- Child support, maintenance, or alimony you receive
- Social Security, unemployment, and other government assistance
- Pension, retirement, or annuity income
- Any other income, listed and described
- A combined monthly income figure (subtracting amounts already deducted from pay so nothing is double-counted)
Schedule J — Your Expenses
Reports your current monthly expenses at the time of filing — what you actually spend now on housing, food, transportation, taxes, insurance, and other living costs. In a joint case where Debtor 2 maintains a separate household, a separate Schedule J-2 is filed.
View the official form & instructionsWhat it asks
- Rent or mortgage payment for your home
- Utilities — electricity, gas, water, phone, internet, and similar services
- Home maintenance and repairs
- Food and household supplies
- Clothing and laundry
- Transportation costs, vehicle operation, and public transit (separate from any vehicle loan payment)
- Insurance not deducted from wages (such as health, life, or vehicle insurance)
- Taxes not deducted from wages
- Medical and dental expenses
- Childcare and payments for support
- All other expenses, each listed and described
- A total monthly expenses figure
How they relate to the means test
Schedule I minus Schedule J gives a snapshot of your monthly disposable income at filing. The trustee and the court use this to understand your real cash flow — and, in a Chapter 13 case, to help assess whether a proposed plan is feasible. This is different from the means test, which measures the six-month average of your income against state medians and uses standardized expense allowances to decide eligibility.
Tips for filling them out
- Use current, realistic monthly figures — not annual averages and not the six-month numbers from the means test.
- Do not double-count: Schedule I asks whether income is already deducted from your pay, and Schedule J should not include amounts withheld from wages.
- Be consistent between the two schedules (for example, taxes shown on Schedule J should be those not already withheld).
- Keep pay stubs, bills, and bank statements — you will likely need them for the trustee.
- In a joint case, each spouse's income is reported on Schedule I; if Debtor 2 keeps a separate household, file Schedule J-2 as well.
The official bankruptcy forms
The official national forms are the same in every state. Download them from the U.S. Courts site, and use the official instruction booklet when completing them.
| Form | Name | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| B 101 | Voluntary Petition for Individuals Filing for Bankruptcy | The petition that opens your case. |
| B 106 Summ | Summary of Your Assets and Liabilities and Certain Statistical Information | A snapshot totals page drawn from the schedules. |
| B 106A/B | Schedule A/B: Your Property | Lists everything you own (real estate, vehicles, bank accounts, personal property). |
| B 106C | Schedule C: The Property You Claim as Exempt | Where you apply your exemptions to protect property. |
| B 106D | Schedule D: Creditors Who Have Claims Secured by Property | Mortgages, car loans, and other liens. |
| B 106E/F | Schedule E/F: Creditors Who Have Unsecured Claims | Priority debts (taxes, support) and general unsecured debts (cards, medical). |
| B 106G | Schedule G: Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases | Active leases and contracts you must list. |
| B 106H | Schedule H: Your Codebtors | Anyone else liable on a debt you list. |
| B 106I | Schedule I: Your Income | Current monthly income at filing (see above). |
| B 106J | Schedule J: Your Expenses | Current monthly expenses at filing (see above). |
| B 122A-1 / 122A-2 | Chapter 7 Means Test Forms | Current monthly income and, if above median, the calculation of any presumption of abuse. |
| B 122C-1 / 122C-2 | Chapter 13 Forms | Current monthly income and the calculation of disposable income for the plan. |
| B 103A | Application for Individuals to Pay the Filing Fee in Installments | Ask to pay the filing fee over time (up to six months after filing). |
| B 103B | Application to Have the Chapter 7 Filing Fee Waived | Ask the court to waive the Chapter 7 fee (income at or below 150% of poverty and unable to pay in installments). |
| B 2830 | Chapter 13 Debtor's Certifications Regarding Domestic Support Obligations | Certify compliance with support obligations required for discharge. |
| B 2400A/B | Reaffirmation Agreement | Agree to remain personally liable on a debt after discharge (Chapter 7), to keep collateral. |
Forms for your state
You file the official national forms in the bankruptcy court for your district. Each court also publishes its own local forms and procedural rules — check the court's website for your district.
Pennsylvania
Bankruptcy courts & local rules
Local forms to watch for
Most bankruptcy courts require local forms in addition to the official national forms. Common local forms include a Chapter 13 plan, a creditor mailing-matrix template, a verification of the debtor's taxpayer ID, and trustee-specific forms. The official national forms are the same in every state; local forms vary by district.
Pennsylvania's three districts each publish their own local forms. Common items include a Chapter 13 plan form, a creditor mailing-matrix template, and a verification of the debtor's Social Security number. Practices differ by district — check the specific court's website.
Education providers & filing costs
Required courses
Two short courses are required for individual debtors: credit counseling before you file and debtor education before your discharge. Use only providers approved by the U.S. Trustee Program.
- Approved Credit Counseling Agencies (required before filing)
Complete this within the 180 days before you file.
- Approved Debtor Education Providers (required before discharge)
Complete this after filing, before your discharge.
- Credit Counseling & Debtor Education — U.S. Trustee information
- Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Courses — U.S. Courts overview
Credit counseling — typical cost
Typically about $25–$50 for most providers. Many agencies waive or reduce the fee for those who cannot afford it — ask the provider before you enroll.
Debtor education — typical cost
Typically about $25–$50 for most providers. Fee waivers are commonly available for low-income debtors — ask the provider.
Court filing fees
| Chapter 7 | $338 | $245 filing fee + $78 administrative fee + $15 trustee surcharge |
| Chapter 13 | $313 | $235 filing fee + $78 administrative fee |
| Chapter 11 | $1,738 | $1,167 filing fee + $571 administrative fee |
| Chapter 12 | $278 | $200 filing fee + $78 administrative fee |
Set by the Judicial Conference of the United States; verify the current amounts with your court.
Official fee schedule (U.S. Courts)If you cannot afford the Chapter 7 fee, you may ask the court to waive it using Official Form 103B. A waiver is available to individuals whose income is at or below 150% of the poverty guidelines and who cannot pay the fee in installments. You may also ask to pay the fee in installments using Official Form 103A.
Last legal review: 2026-09-23
Sources: Official Bankruptcy Forms (U.S. Courts) — full list & downloads; Official fee schedule (U.S. Courts); Approved Credit Counseling Agencies (required before filing)
Form numbers, fees, and provider lists change periodically. Always confirm the current versions and amounts on the official court and U.S. Trustee sites before filing.