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Means Test Line 22 Vehicle Operation Expense Calculations.
Any one know the rationale behind the imputed figure in line 22A of
the means test for vehicle operation expense being reduced from $428
in December to the absurdly low $251 in January (now $261) for one
car, other than some tree hugger's desire to force debtors into using
public transportation for the extra $163 per month? The two amounts
combined are lower than the $428 prior figure, all while the cost of
fuel is going up! Most debtor's car insurance alone eats up nearly
40% of the $251, and it is the rare individual that averages
spending only $150 per month on gasoline, maintenance and repairs,
even if they drive a hybrid. I cannot move the car insurance over
to line 42 as a mandatory expense required pursuant to the terms of
the car note if the car is not financed.
This couple hundred dollar difference is really starting to become
the key difference between passing or failing the means test for
several of my above median debtors with one nonfinanced car! I am
venting, but I really wonder how the powers that be came up with
this figure. I suppose I should just be happy that at least the
powers that be saw the light that the cost of maintaining
two cars is double the cost of one car for 22a purposes. That was my
prior pet peeve about line 22 before January's changes!
I guess maybe there is at least some hope that rational thought may
enter into setting all the means test figures at some point!
Mark Jessee
The post was migrated from Yahoo.