Can someone please explain.

[jessegirl]

Hi Everybody - Ok so this is the question - I HOPE i do not sound like an idiot but i know your are allowed exemptions to use but, is monthly exemptions like utilities, medical, food, gas, car payments, etc are they also monthly exmeptions or what? I am looking on the web for montly exemptions but I cannot find where utilities, etc are. Are they the same for evey state?

[Help!]

I think what you're looking for are the IRS Standards for living expenses for the means test. This link should help:

http://www.usdoj.gov/ust/eo/bapcpa/20080317/meanstesting.htm

[Yankeegirl]

You're looking for allowable expenses.

Try this link:

http://www.usdoj.gov/ust/eo/bapcpa/meanstesting.htm

[kimba251]

If you go to the IRS gov website it has allwoable expenses for states for all those things.

Utilities are under housing and utilies on there.

I feel your pain because I was over the median too. Some of your "expenses" aren't allowed even though you pay something for them. THe means test is basically bare bones. Just because you show a deficit on Schedule J does not mean it is allowed on the means test.

If you do a search you can find a means test calculator online where you can put in your expenses yourself and it will tell you if you pass or fail the means test.

[jessegirl]

yup, thats it. Thanks so much....

[cupcake]

As it relates to the IRS allowable expenses chart, does "non-mortgage" refer to utilities?