October 2026 Bankruptcy Rule Report: Arizona & Washington Exemptions, Median Income & Means-Test Standards
Reviewed October 1, 2026
Our October 2026 review of the official sources for Arizona and Washington: current bankruptcy exemption amounts, state median family income, and the IRS and U.S. Trustee means-test expense standards. Every figure below is listed with the statute or official table it comes from, its effective date, and a direct link to the government source.
Arizona
homestead exemption
$400,000A.R.S. § 33-1101 ↗ · effective 2022-01-01
The exemption was increased from $150,000 to $250,000 in 2021 and subsequently to $400,000 effective January 1, 2022.
motor vehicle exemption
$6,000 ($12,000 for debtors with physical disabilities)A.R.S. § 33-1125 ↗ · effective 2022-01-01
The exemption amount was increased effective January 1, 2022.
household goods / personal property exemption
$6,000 aggregate value for household furniture and appliancesA.R.S. § 33-1123 ↗ · effective 2022-01-01
The aggregate value limit was increased effective January 1, 2022.
tools of the trade exemption
$5,000A.R.S. § 33-1130 ↗ · effective 2022-01-01
The exemption amount was increased effective January 1, 2022.
wage garnishment limit
Lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or amount by which disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum hourly wageA.R.S. § 33-1131 ↗ · effective 2005-01-01
Arizona follows federal guidelines under the Consumer Credit Protection Act.
state median family income (U.S. Trustee tables)
Varies by household size; see current U.S. Trustee data11 U.S.C. § 707(b)(7) ↗ · effective 2024-11-01
Figures are updated periodically by the U.S. Trustee Program based on Census Bureau data.
IRS national and local expense standards
Varies by location and household size11 U.S.C. § 707(b)(2) ↗ · effective 2026-06-29
Standards are updated regularly; bankruptcy filers must use the current U.S. Trustee Program tables.
Washington
homestead exemption
Greater of $125,000 or the county median sale price of a single-family home in the preceding calendar yearRCW 6.13.030 ↗ · effective Current
The statute provides a floor of $125,000; if the county median sale price is higher, that higher amount applies.
motor vehicle exemption
$15,000 per spouseRCW 6.15.010 ↗ · effective 2026-04-02
Figure reflects current state law application.
household goods / personal property exemption
$6,500 in household goods; no dollar cap on cell phone, personal computer, and printerRCW 6.15.010 ↗ · effective 2026-04-02
Specific items like computers and phones are exempt without a dollar limit.
tools of the trade exemption
$15,000RCW 6.15.010 ↗ · effective 2026-04-02
Exemption applies to tools used for trade or profession.
wage garnishment limit
Greater of 80% of disposable earnings or 35 times the state minimum wageRCW 6.27.150 ↗ · effective 2026-01-01
The state minimum wage for 2026 is $17.13.
state median family income (U.S. Trustee tables)
Varies by household sizeU.S. Trustee Program ↗ · effective 2024-11-01
Figures are updated periodically by the U.S. Trustee Program for use in Bankruptcy Forms 122A-1 and 122C-1.
IRS national and local expense standards
Varies by location and household sizeU.S. Trustee Program ↗ · effective Current
Bankruptcy filers must use the U.S. Trustee Program's specific means-testing expense standards rather than the IRS collection standards.
How to use this report
Each row lists the figure we found, the statute or official table it comes from, and its effective date. Click the citation to open the government source. Exemption amounts, median income tables, and means-test expense standards are adjusted on their own schedules, so a figure that was current this month may change next month — always confirm at the linked source.
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