Chapter 7/13 Disposable Income Question

[Scoutitout]

When determining disposable income, what amounts does one use? For example, if the allowed expense for something is $200, but you actually pay $150, which amount is actually used to determine disposable income? Is it some average of the two or do people just put the higher amount?

During a Chapter 7, even though taxes and student loans are not dischargeable, are they taken into consideration at all? I owe so much in these categories and I know I have to pay them back either way. But do they consider this when determining my disposable income, i.e., that I'll never really be able to make a dent in those debts if I don't get the Chapter 7 discharge.

Should I begin in a Chapter 7 and see if it gets converted to a Chapter 13?

[Bankruptcy20]

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[hamletsdead]

The means test uses the IRS standards -- if they give you $200 for a category, then that's what you get, you don't lower it by substituting in what you actually pay for a given item.

Your tax and student loan payments are entered into your monthly expense categories, and are counted in the calculation.