We’ve written a series of blog posts answering common questions regarding bankruptcy in Wisconsin, and how it can impact your finances. Call (262) 827-0375

Fears of Bankruptcy

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Often conscientious people delay getting the help they need, not so much out of pride as out of shame at having to ask for help. But bankruptcy exists for a reason. For every person who abuses the process, there are many who simply need the financial relief that bankruptcy provides. As with depression, or anxiety, or bereavement, there is no shame in seeking the help you need.

It’s not unusual for a bankruptcy attorney to see a client who comes to the office with a big box or bag full of unopened bills, because things have gotten so out of hand they have simply shunted it all aside in order to get on as best they can with getting through each day. It is often a positive feedback loop of avoidance leading to more debt, leading to more avoidance and more debt.

On the other hand, people may just be too optimistic about their financial outlook, thinking that they are going to get a grip on their debt when they get a new job, or when their partner gets a raise, or when their business takes off. Sometimes, avoiding dealing with debt may entail a combination, as strange as it may sound, of shame, guilt, mental paralysis, and unwarranted optimism. Whatever the reasons may be, and however it is experienced, it can be crippling, both emotionally and financially.

Have a Bit of Self-Compassion

In some cases, it may be possible to dig out of debt through a combination of debt forgiveness and structured payments, and by reducing expenditures, and through other measures, but when financial counsellors see people trying to dig out by doing things that are injurious to their long-term financial health–with potential impacts on their emotional and physical well being–they are quick to counsel clients to look at bankruptcy. For example clients may begin to liquidate retirement funds that normally would be protected in bankruptcy in order to meet their debt obligations. A stroke of fortune may make someone rich. A stroke of misfortune may likewise put someone in financial straits. Who knows what people are dealing with? Divorce, bereavement, medical bills, a spell of unemployment, a bad investment . . . lots of things might knock someone off their stride.

If you have been making yourself, and perhaps those around you, miserable because of debt, the time to seek counselling is now. There is no stigma, except what you lay on yourself, in seeking bankruptcy if that is what you need to do. And the settlement may not be as harsh as you think. Most people who file for the most common form of bankruptcy, Chapter 7, are able to keep their personal possessions, some of the equity and their homes, and often several thousand dollars in equity for a vehicle. What is covered varies state to state. If there are other assets that might not be protected under Chapter 7, Chapter 13 might be an option.

It’s possible in short order to get secured lines of credit that will help you begin to re-establish your ratings, though a bankruptcy will stay in your credit reports for up to 10 years. With positive steps, though, improvement can be rapid. Credit-building loans are often available from banks and Credit Unions to help get folks back on their feet. Some people who discharge their debt through bankruptcy are eligible for FHA or VA home loans in as little as 2 years. Need a new vehicle? You will probably pay higher interest, but consider how the interest is compounding on your credit card debt!

In short, there is no reason to remain under this cloud.

The Time Is Now

If not to seek bankruptcy, at least to get advice. Why? It’s more urgent than ever due to current events. Lots of folks have lost their businesses and livelihoods during the pandemic. To this point, foreclosures and other kinds of debt resolution have been held off by debt moratorium legislation, and some people have gotten by on those $600 federal payments. But when those protections and those payments end, credit counsellors, lawyers, and courts are going to be flooded with cases that require resolution. It’s best to get the advice you need, and to file if you should, as soon as possible.

Experience has shown that those who file earlier than later end up with better long-term results, but even if you’ve put off dealing with a financial hole that you just can’t seem to dig out of for a long time, it’s best to bite the bullet. Many people have been down this road before you. The vast majority have gone on to have happy lives and watch that road-bump grow smaller and smaller in the rear-view mirror. They have felt the great relief that getting that burden off their shoulders brings.

The bankruptcy experts at Burr Law stand ready to help you get into the clear as quickly and painlessly as possible. They want to help you put this chapter behind you, and get on with your life. The life you deserve.

Bankruptcy exists for a reason! It exists to help people like you.

Consumer Credit Bankruptcy

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What Is Consumer Credit?

Although any type of personal loan could be labeled consumer credit, the term is usually used to describe unsecured debt that is taken on to buy everyday goods and services. Credit cards issued by banks or other financial institutions, department store cards, gas cards–are all examples of revolving credit. Installment loans are another kind of consumer credit, and the most common installment credit example is an auto loan. Consumer credit is not usually used to describe the purchase of a house; that’s considered a long-term investment and is usually purchased with a secured mortgage loan.

Consumer Credit Causing Financial Distress

If you find yourself struggling every month to pay each of your credit cards as well as your department store cards, your gas cards, and make your car payments (not to mention continuing to live), your situation is not unusual. The average American had a credit card balance of $6,200 in 2019, according to Experian. And revolving credit with its high interest means disaster for those who can’t pay the balance in full every month. That means you continue to accrue additional interest charges from month to month. The average annual percentage rate on all credit cards was 20.21% as of August 2020. Department store credit cards averaged 24.22%. A single late payment can boost your interest rate even higher.

Bankruptcy Can Offer Relief

If your consumer credit obligations are driving you to the breaking point, then bankruptcy may be your wisest option. In Chapter 7 bankruptcy, consumer credit debt can be entirely eliminated. You also have the option of filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy where you enter into an agreement with your creditors to repay a portion of your debt over 3 to 5 years.

Chapter 7

Chapter 7 bankruptcy is also called Liquidation Bankruptcy, but don’t let that name scare you off. While it is designed to repay a portion of your debts through the sale of your assets, there are exemptions, and the experts at Burr Law can make sure your car and your home remain yours. The truth is that using exemptions to their fullest, you can derive the benefit of eliminating consumer credit debt while retaining your most valuable possessions. There is no minimum or maximum amount of debt needed to file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. There is an income status requirement, though. Your income needs to be equal to or below Wisconsin’s median income, which in 2018 was $62,629.

Chapter 13

Chapter 13 bankruptcy functions more like a reorganization. A trustee assigned by the bankruptcy court draws up a plan whereby you repay a portion of your debts over the course of 3 to 5 years. Your creditors then need to agree to the plan, and the bankruptcy court approves it. With this type of bankruptcy you will retain your car and your house as well. There is no income status requirement, though there is a maximum debt level. To be eligible to file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you must have no more than $394,725 in consumer credit debt and you also can have no more than $1,184,200 in secured debts, which includes mortgages and car loans.

Consumer credit obligations can be crushing, but they don’t have to be. Reach out to the professionals at Burr Law to discuss your financial situation. It may be that bankruptcy can entirely clear your consumer credit debt, or that it can be made into something manageable. You won’t know how close you are to relief unless you call now.

Can You File Bankruptcy Without Your Spouse?

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The short answer here is: yes, you can. But should you? Bankruptcy law is complicated and every family’s situation is different, so it’s best to consult with one of the experts at Burr Law if you are thinking about bankruptcy with or without your spouse. Here are some considerations to contemplate.

How Long Have You Been Married?

Wisconsin is a community property state. That means that property and debts accrued during the marriage are deemed jointly held in the law.

If you’ve been married quite a while, then filing jointly will allow both of you to eliminate your separate debts as well as those held jointly. It also means that both of you will participate in the decision making process. And you’ll be able to double your exemptions when you file jointly, thereby letting you retain property that you might otherwise lose.

If you’ve been married a short time, it might be a good idea for one spouse only to file for bankruptcy. This is especially true if one partner carries all or most of the debt. And if you’ve been married for a short time, you may not own any substantial property together. In this instance, filing for bankruptcy without your spouse will let the partner who isn’t having debt trouble retain any separate property and maintain a good credit rating.

Who Has The Debt?

If both you and your spouse are experiencing financial difficulties, it’s best to file jointly. With a joint filing, the property of both spouses is included in the bankruptcy estate, and all debts of both spouses are part of the filing. Filing jointly also means you complete one set of forms, incur only one filing fee, and pay one lawyer. When both of you are feeling overwhelmed with debt, filing jointly for bankruptcy gives you both a clean slate to begin anew.

If only one of you has debt, and you’ve been married a long time, filing for bankruptcy without your spouse could actually hurt them a great deal. While bankruptcy will clear all of your debts, because Wisconsin is a community property state, your spouse will remain liable for debts incurred during the course of the marriage. It’s only when one partner has most of the debt and you haven’t been married very long that filing for bankruptcy without your spouse would be a good idea.

Have You Filed Bankruptcy Before?

A separate filing may be unavoidable in certain situations. If one partner went through a Chapter 7 bankruptcy within the past 8 years or a Chapter 13 one within the past 6 years, that spouse will not be able to file another Chapter 7 bankruptcy. So if you’ve been married 5 years and your spouse went through a Chapter 7 bankruptcy 7 years ago, you cannot include your spouse in your bankruptcy filing.

These are only some general examples of situations. If you are thinking about filing bankruptcy without your spouse, contact the experts at Burr Law who can listen to your unique situation and recommend the best course of action.

File Bankruptcy Without a Lawyer: 3 Reasons You Shouldn’t

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When you feel overwhelmed by debt, it’s wise to consider bankruptcy. However, if those same feelings of drowning in debt prevent you from seeking professional help with your bankruptcy, you are doing yourself and your family a grave disservice. Bankruptcy is complicated; it even has its own judicial system. Bankruptcy involves negotiation with all interested parties, and it is unlikely that you will manage to get the kind of terms with corporate entities that an attorney can. Errors that an ordinary person can easily make can have huge implications, even including case dismissal. So even if it feels counter-intuitive to engage an attorney to pursue bankruptcy on your behalf, it’s the best course of action. Bankruptcy without a lawyer is a bad idea.

Bankruptcy is Complicated

There are three different kinds of bankruptcy that an individual can file, each named after the Chapter of the Bankruptcy Code that describes it. Chapter 7 is the most common. It is generally known as Liquidation Bankruptcy, and a Trustee appointed by the Court sells your assets to satisfy a portion of your debt. Chapter 13 bankruptcy is available to individuals and businesses with a consistent income and there are caps on the amount of debt you can have. Under Chapter 13, a plan is created to pay back as much debt as reasonably possible over the next three to five years, taking into account your financial situation. Chapter 11 bankruptcy is usually used by businesses, but can be accessed by individuals. Like Chapter 13, it arranged for partial payments of debts over 3 to 5 years, but the Court does not require an outside administrator. It’s also noteworthy that there is an entire legal system dedicated to bankruptcy. Not every attorney is an expert in bankruptcy law; those at Burr Law are.

Bankruptcy Negotiations Need Professionals

With Chapter 7, there are exemptions to what assets must be sold to satisfy your debts. Having one of the expert attorneys at Burr Law means that you can be sure that all of your property that can possibly be exempt from liquidation will be.

There is also an income status requirement; your income needs to be equal to or below Wisconsin’s median income, which in 2018 was $62,629. Again, there are ways to calculate your income that can work to your advantage, especially if you are near the limit for filing Chapter 7. Burr Law attorneys know how to help with that. With Chapter 13 and Chapter 11, the repayment plan is made with you, your creditors, and the Court. Isn’t it probable that one of the professionals at Burr Law would make sure that your interests are served best over the next 3 to 5 years? With professional help, unsecured debt can be totally or partially eliminated, and assets (like your house) can be protected.

Bankruptcy Legal Process

The paperwork involved in initiating, pursuing, and successfully concluding a bankruptcy suit is enormous and intricate. There are all kinds of deadlines that must be met for different aspects of your bankruptcy case in order for it to proceed. For Instance, you can file your bankruptcy petition without all documentation in place, but then if you fail to submit the entirety of required documentation within 14 days, your case will be dismissed. With the experts from Burr Law on your side, you’ll have the confidence that every bit of paperwork will be done and every single court deadline will be met.

Deciding to declare bankruptcy may be the smartest decision for your situation. But bankruptcy without a lawyer is simply stupid. Isn’t it worth it to have professionals working on your behalf?

Bankruptcy in Retail Stores: How the Process Works

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Retail stores have been struggling since the advent of TV shopping networks and online shopping. Now, with most retail businesses closed down for weeks due to COVID-19, the situation may have become really dire. Many retail businesses may be considering bankruptcy. This post explores the bankruptcy process for retail stores, and complications that may arise because of the pandemic.

Different Types of Bankruptcy

Most businesses choose to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy rather than Chapter 7. Chapter 7 is a straight forward liquidation proceeding where all assets are sold off and creditors paid as much as possible from those funds. The court appoints a trustee who conducts the liquidation. Chapter 11 bankruptcy is a reorganization of the business that allows it to continue to trade in the marketplace while repaying creditors. Generally, the business itself proposes the reorganization plan. It is also possible to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy more than once, without an onerous waiting period. This is informally called Chapter 22 bankruptcy. We will concentrate on the Chapter 11 process here.

Typical Court Process

When a retail business is considering bankruptcy, the obvious first step is consultation with expert attorneys. The professionals at Burr Law have years of experience dealing with bankruptcy and can guide you through the complexities of the process. When you file for Chapter 11 relief in bankruptcy court, no trustee is appointed. Instead, you become the Debtor in Possession (DIP). You have the exclusive right to propose a reorganization plan for at least 4 months and up to 18 months. Once you do so, your creditors need to agree to the plan, and the court needs to approve it. That is called confirmation and in doing so, the court will decide whether the plan demonstrates 4 factors: feasibility, good faith, best interests of the creditors, and fairness. The whole thing usually takes between 6 months to 2 years.

Typical Business Process

Because you are the DIP, you continue to run your business. With expert advice, you can decide what product lines to discontinue, what marketing strategies to change, and whether some stores need to close. The bankruptcy court must approve any sale of assets, lease agreements, and financing arrangements (mortgages or other secured financing). Usually, it takes 4 months to plan and run a going-out-of-business sale, so there’s a lot of analysis and decision making that needs to happen in a short amount of time. The key, though, is that you get to make those decisions, not the bankruptcy court.

COVID Complications

The aftermath of this pandemic creates unique difficulties for both the court and the business parts of the bankruptcy procedure. Experts anticipate that the numbers of bankruptcy will rise significantly, both personal and business. That means that the bankruptcy court will be flooded with cases, and delays due to packed court schedules may result. Bankruptcy judges may feel pressured to rush through cases, causing precipitous decisions detrimental to those involved. On the business side, with many states still imposing retail store closures, going-out-of-business sales simply cannot happen. And the kind of predictive analysis required to decide about customer traffic and buying behavior will be extremely difficult.

Best Advice: File Now

As a retail business in financial trouble, it may be wisest to file now. You may be able to avoid the overcrowded bankruptcy court schedule, or be at the top of the list. And with the Wisconsin Supreme Court decision, stores are able to open and hold those important going-out-of-business sales, except for some local restrictions. The bankruptcy experts at Burr Law can help you navigate the process.

How Will the New Stimulus Bill Affect Bankruptcy?

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On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act into law. This follows the Small Business Reorganization Act (SBRA) that took effect in February 2020. Both of these measures have an impact on those contemplating bankruptcy, or already in the bankruptcy process. Across the United States, people have more household debt now than at the height of the recession – $14.15 trillion as of the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to $12.68 trillion during the third quarter of 2008. And now, millions of Americans are losing their jobs because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since March 15, nearly 10 million people have filed first-time jobless claims; many of them may be looking to bankruptcy for relief.

CARES Direct Payments

Included in the CARES Act are one-time payments to qualifying individuals of $1200 for anyone making under $75,000 annually, and $500 for each dependent child. If you have made more than $75,000, but less than $99,999, you will still receive a payment, though it will be less than $1,200. The amounts of the direct payments for individuals making more than $75,000 and couples making more than $150,000 will decrease $5 based on every $100 an individual makes over $75,000. An individual with an income of $76,000, for example, would receive a $1150 payment.

CARES and Bankruptcy

Chapter 7

The CARES Act makes temporary changes to bankruptcy law. Those filing under Chapter 7 need to meet a means test; they must not make more than their state’s median household income. For Wisconsin, that is $62,629 (as of 2018). The CARES Act excludes the direct payment from that calculation. So for a debtor just on the borderline, this extra income will not count as “current monthly income” when determining eligibility to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

Chapter 13 – Disposable Income

For those who have filed Chapter 13 bankruptcy, these direct payments will not count as “disposable income” for purposes of Chapter 13 plan confirmation. Those debtors are also now permitted to seek modifications of their confirmed Chapter 13 plans if “the debtor is experiencing or has experienced a material financial hardship due, directly or indirectly, to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.” The modification can be approved after notice and a hearing.

Chapter 13 – Extended Payment Plan

Debtors experiencing such hardships because of the COVID-19 pandemic are also allowed to extend their plan payments for up to seven years after the time that the first payment under their original confirmed plan was due. So if you had a repayment plan of three years, it can be extended another four years. This means that the payments you are currently responsible for would decrease, perhaps substantially..

SBRA and Bankruptcy

The SBRA amends Chapter 11 and creates Subchapter V which applies both to small businesses and to individuals. It significantly increases the amount to qualify for the bankruptcy process. Debtors can have up to $7,500,000 in secured and unsecured debt and still qualify to proceed under this streamlined bankruptcy process. Previously, the debt limit was $2,725,625. With 38 states in complete lockdown and all “nonessential” businesses closed to the public, small business owners can be feeling desperate. For many small business owners who are facing a sudden and dramatic drop in income, this may bring some hope. Small businesses filing under Subchapter V may have a clearer way to obtain relief and maintain their ownership of the business.

The measures that the federal government has put in place to protect the economy during this COVID-19 pandemic can provide some substantial relief to those considering or in the process of bankruptcy proceedings. It’s important to remember, though, that the provisions are temporary. These changes expire precisely one year after their introduction. So as of March 27, 2021, they end. If you are experiencing financial hardship, the CARES Act and SBRA may mean that it is the best time for you to file for bankruptcy. Consult one of the experts at Burr Law for guidance.

Who Pays for Bankruptcies? How Bankruptcies Work

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When you’re in desperate financial distress, bankruptcy can be a lifeline. When you declare personal bankruptcy using Chapter 7 under the Bankruptcy Code, you can eliminate all of your unsecured debt (credit card debt, medical debt, etc.). If it’s not possible for you to file under Chapter 7, you can file under Chapter 13. Your unsecured debt will not be eliminated, but it will be greatly reduced and you will have three to five years to pay back that lower amount.

Declaring bankruptcy, however, means instigating a court procedure, and there are certain costs associated with that.

Court Costs

There is an entirely separate court system for bankruptcy and these courts need to be maintained, and the personnel paid. Part of that cost comes from the filing fee that the person filing for bankruptcy (the petitioner) pays. Currently, the national bankruptcy fee is $335 to file for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. If you are unable to pay that amount in full at the time of filing, you can pay in four installments within 120 days of the date of filing. In other words, you can pay approximately $84 a month for four months. There are provisions to waive the fee entirely if your family income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. As of January 17, 2020, the federal poverty guideline for a family of four in Wisconsin is $39,300. There is also a small fee for the bankruptcy trustee. The filing fee for Chapter 13 is $310.

Credit Counseling Course Costs

When you file for bankruptcy, you must agree to participate in a credit counseling course at the beginning of the procedure, and a debtor education course at its conclusion. The cost of these courses varies widely. Some can be as inexpensive as $10, while some can cost about $60. You must attend a court-approved course. So you can expect to spend an additional $20 to $120. If you have been granted a filing fee waiver due to your low income, course costs are often waived as well.

Attorney Costs

You are not required to use an attorney when you file for bankruptcy, but it would be foolish not to do so. Bankruptcy is extremely complicated and any mistakes can have long-term, serious consequences for you and your family. Having an attorney responsible for the paperwork necessary helps assure mistakes are not made. There are ways to mitigate attorney fees, and certainly, consulting with a firm that specializes in bankruptcy law, like Burr Law, is a sensible course of action. We would be able to assess the nature of your situation, and anticipate the complexity of your case. So we would be able to give you a clear idea of what your attorney costs might be. While only 5% of Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings were challenged by a creditor in 2019, if that happens, litigation would obviously increase attorney costs as well.

Cost/Benefit Analysis

It is important to keep the costs associated with bankruptcy in the proper perspective. When you are being buried under a mountain of debt, the logic of incurring a small additional obligation should be apparent. Here at Burr Law we will work with you to make sure that you derive all possible benefits from filing for bankruptcy and still retain the financial means to restart your life.

Student Loan Forgiveness Programs: PSLF and Paying Down Debt

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The costs for higher education have risen exponentially and many people find themselves mired in student loan debt. For people whose financial situation is precarious, having student loan payments of $393 a month (the average payment according to the Federal Reserve) makes meeting ends meet impossible. You may have heard of student loan forgiveness programs or student loan payoffs; you may be considering bankruptcy, and wonder if it will help with your student loan debt. Let’s explore your options.

Student Loan Forgiveness Programs

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program was created in 2007; participants agree to work in public service jobs for the government and other nonprofit organizations for a period of ten years while making regular monthly payments on their loan. At the end of that time, the remainder of their student loan is forgiven. The reality is that this program has not actually resulted in much student loan forgiveness. In 2019, two years after the first participants became eligible, the Department of Education had approved only 1% of those applying for loan forgiveness. There are a multitude of reasons that applicants were rejected including not filing all yearly Employment Certification Forms needed and loans not being eligible for the program. Only direct student loans are eligible, so if you have consolidated your student loans, you will no longer qualify. Missing or mis-paid monthly payments are another reason for rejection. Basically, doing absolutely everything right under the PSLF program is essential, and if you do one thing wrong, your 10 years of public service and loan payments will be for nought.

Student Loan Payoffs

There are several volunteer organizations that will help in paying down student loans. Volunteers In Service to America (VISTA) will pay off $4,725 for 1700 hours work. That equals 42 ½ weeks of 40 hours a week. Americorps offers the same deal: 12 months of full time work earns you $4,725 off your student loan. The Peace Corps means automatic deferment of Perkins, Stafford or Consolidation loans, but that’s not forgiveness. It also offers partial cancellation of your student loan debt at 15% per year, with a maximum of 70%. So you could work full time for the Peace Corps for nearly 5 years and find yourself still owing 30% of your student loan. Wisconsin does have one state-run program called the Health Professions Loan Assistance Program. The HPLAP seeks to increase the number of primary care, dental, and psychiatrist providers working in underserved rural and urban areas of the state. Participants agree to work full time for three years in a designated area, and can receive up to $50,000 in forgiveness. It is unclear how effective this program actually is in eliminating student loan debt.

Student Loans and Bankruptcy

A casual search of student loan debt in bankruptcy will tell you that you will still be obligated to pay your student loans, even if you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. This is false. It requires genuine expertise in bankruptcy law in order to have your student loan debt discharged through bankruptcy, but it can indeed be done. If you can successfully prove undue hardship, your student loan will be completely canceled. Filing for bankruptcy also automatically protects you from collection actions on all of your debts. It’s important that you let your attorney know that you are interested in pursuing the discharge of student loan debt as well. It requires extra paperwork, and the development of a sound strategy. The professionals at Burr Law can advise you about the likelihood of having your student loan debt successfully discharged through bankruptcy.

Student loan forgiveness is real, but it is not easy. You might work with the PSLF program for 10 years and find yourself denied; you can work for nonprofit organizations for 3 to 5 years and hope some or most of your student loan can be cancelled. Or you can meet with the experts at Burr Law and find out whether you could submit a strong case to have your student loan debt discharged in bankruptcy.

Tax Returns and Bankruptcy: Do I Get to Keep My Refund in Bankruptcy?

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Before exploring the status of any tax refunds, let’s be clear about taxes owed. If you owe taxes, that debt will not be discharged during bankruptcy, whether you file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 unless 1) that tax debt more than 3 years old; 2)there was nothing fraudulent about the tax returns; 3) and the tax was not assessed within 240 days of filing the bankruptcy petition. Business tax debts cannot be discharged. That said, the status of any tax refunds is not so clear-cut. So the answer to the all important question “Do I get to keep my refund in bankruptcy?” is “It depends.” The issue of tax refunds during bankruptcy is one of a number of complex questions that can arise during bankruptcy. That’s why it is essential to consult with professionals, like the experts at Burr Law, who deal with the intricacies of bankruptcy law every day.

 

Exemptions

Whether you file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you are entitled to exemptions. There are both federal and state exemptions, and Wisconsin is one of only 19 states that allows you to choose which set of exemptions you use. It’s important to note that you must choose one or the other; you cannot mix-and-match the exemption rules. The experts at Burr Law can help you determine which is better for your particular situation. While Wisconsin does not have a specific federal or state tax refund exemption, you can protect it with a wildcard exemption if you are able to use the federal bankruptcy exemptions. Should you choose, your tax refund can become an asset protected through your exemptions, and you would then retain it.

 

Necessary Expenses

Your tax refund may be automatically deposited into your bank account. Can you spend those funds? If you spend your tax refund on necessary expenses like mortgage or rent payments, that is allowable. Other necessary expenses include food, medical expenses, and clothing. While your tax refund counts as an asset, you are allowed to spend money on necessary expenses, and that applies equally to money gained from a tax refund. Basically, as long as you are not spending it on luxury items, it’s all right for you to spend the tax refund you receive. You can also use your tax refund to pay your bankruptcy attorney and associated court costs.

 

Timing – Not Yet Filed

If you have not yet filed bankruptcy, but plan to do so within the year, it is a good idea to adjust your withholding to minimize any refund you may receive. This must be done carefully; if you miscalculate and end up owing taxes, those become non-dischargeable debts. Another way to plan ahead for bankruptcy is to designate more of your income to your employer IRA or 401k. Those retirement contributions will not become assets liable to exploitation during bankruptcy. Pre-planning for bankruptcy will help you avoid the question altogether.

 

Timing – Refund From Income After Filing

Any refund that results from income you earned after filing for bankruptcy is yours free and clear. Also, if any portion of the refund results from income you earned after the filing date, that portion is available to you without restriction. Again, this is a delicate calculation and it is vital that you have an experienced bankruptcy attorney from Burr Law to guide you through the process. You want to adhere to the law in all instances.

 

The issue of tax returns during bankruptcy is complex. With the experts at Burr Law, you can feel confident that all of your individual circumstances will be carefully considered. We will find the best possible solutions for your financial situation.

Can I Keep My Tax Return During Bankruptcy?

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If you are considering filing bankruptcy, or have already done so, you may be anticipating filing your taxes and wondering how taxes owed or refunds received will work into a bankruptcy proceeding. This post will explore how your tax return affects your bankruptcy.

Before exploring the status of any tax refunds, let’s be clear about taxes owed. If you owe taxes, that debt will not be discharged during bankruptcy, whether you file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Also, any overdue taxes or penalties will remain.

Tax Refunds Are Assets

You may have received your refund directly into your bank account, the refund may be in process, or the refund may result from the taxes you file for the previous year. Any way you look at it, tax refunds are assets. And when you file for bankruptcy all of your assets become part of the proceedings. That fact does not necessarily mean that you will lose your tax refund. Whether you keep all or a portion of it depends on a variety of factors.

Timing – Not Yet Filed

If you have not yet filed bankruptcy, but plan to do so within the year, it is a good idea to adjust your withholding to minimize any refund you may receive. This must be done carefully; if you miscalculate and end up owing taxes, those become nondischargeable debts. Another way to plan ahead for bankruptcy is to designate more of your income to your employer IRA or 401k. Those retirement contributions will not become assets liable to exploitation during bankruptcy.

Protect Refund With Exemptions

Whether you file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you are entitled to exemptions. There are both federal and state exemptions, and Wisconsin is one of only 19 states that allows you to choose which set of exemptions you use. The experts at Burr Law can help you determine which is better for your particular situation. While Wisconsin does not have a specific federal tax refund exemption, you can protect it with a wildcard exemption. In any event, your tax refund can become an asset protected through your exemptions, and you would then retain it.

Refund Used For Necessary Expenses

If you spend your tax refund on necessary expenses like mortgage or rent payments, that is allowable. Other necessary expenses include food, medical expenses, and clothing. Basically, as long as you are not spending it on luxury items, it’s all right for you to spend the tax refund you receive. You can also use your tax refund to pay your bankruptcy attorney and associated court costs.

Timing – Refund From Income After Filing

Any refund that results from income you earned after filing for bankruptcy is yours free and clear. Also, if any portion of the refund results from income your earned after the filing date, that portion is available to you without restriction. Again, this is a delicate calculation and it is vital that you have an experienced bankruptcy attorney from Burr Law to guide you through the process. You want to adhere to the law in all instances.

The issue of tax returns during bankruptcy is complex. With the experts at Burr Law, you can feel confident that all of your individual circumstances will be carefully considered. We will find the best possible solutions for your financial situation.