Means test: vehicle ownership allowance

[boinga]

I'm confused about the transportation ownership expense category on item #23 of the Means Test. My reading is that there are two separate allowances. #22 for vehicle operation or public transp costs, and #23 for vehicle ownership costs specifically. #23 does NOT include any car payments, which get subtracted out.

So my question is, if a person has 1 car, no car payments, do they put in the whole IRS allowance on line 23, in addition to the transportation expense allowance on line 22?

I was just looking over the papers my lawyer filed, and noticed she entered 0.00 on line 23, although I have a car (and she checked the "1 vehicle" box on line 23).

Also, has anyone seen a definition of what they consider an "operating" cost vs. an "ownership" cost? This was bugging me before I filed too, but figured my lawyer would know what to do.

I'm still fine on the means test -- claiming this expense would just make me go several hundred negative. But I'd like to make sure everything is correct.

[boinga]

No one has any information on this?

[nonsense2020]

- Ditto - Forgot to check the date

[optimistic1]

Well just in case anyone is wondering still, it just depends

[momofthree]

Do you have a car payment? If you have a car payment that is higher than the allowed amount, then they put 0.00 (can't input a negative number), but then include the car payment down lower under secured debts.

If you don't have a car payment, then I don't know....