$287K in unsecured debt on $167K salary, filing Ch. 13 — looking for advice

30s, software engineer, single, Florida. Here's the full picture:

Unsecured / problem debt: ~$287K

  • Personal loans: $145K across 4 lenders (one already 60-89 days late)
  • Credit cards: $78K across 9 cards (most at 90%+ utilization)
  • IRS back taxes: $60K (5 years, non-dischargeable)
  • BNPL: $4K

Also carrying a $629K mortgage (current, FL homestead exempt), $49K in student loans, and a $45K car lease — these drive the monthly shortfall but aren't the core problem. Bought a house with my mom so that I could pay most of the mortgage and she can retire. The car lease I don't care for and can get rid of it but need a car, have no savings, and can't get out of the lease / get a new one.

Monthly cash flow:

  • Net income: ~$11,700 (salary + RSUs + prorated bonus)
  • Living expenses: $8,160 (my share of mortgage alone is roughly $4,000 variable)
  • Debt minimums: $9,000
  • Monthly shortfall: -$7,800

Bank account went from $71K to overdrawn in 6 months. Bouncing payments now. Already burned through a $61K early 401(k) withdrawal last year trying to stay afloat (which just created more tax debt). Considering Ch. 13.

Questions:

  1. With $60K in priority tax debt that can't be discharged, is Ch. 13 even viable?
  2. Has anyone dealt with RSU/bonus income inflating their disposable income calculation under Ch. 13?
  3. At what point did you stop paying cards and just let it go? Still making minimums on some and it feels like bailing water on the Titanic.

Throwaway for obvious reasons.

Posted Apr 25, 2026, 11:37 PM UTC

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