If you’re thinking about bankruptcy, one of the first questions that often comes up is simple: what debts actually go away, and what debts may still be there afterward? That question matters because many people hear the word “discharge” and assume it wipes out everything. In reality, some obligations commonly survive.
That’s where nondischargeable debt comes in. In general terms, this phrase refers to debt that bankruptcy typically does not erase. Federal bankruptcy law lists specific categories of debts that can remain collectible even after a case ends, and the answer can also vary depending on whether the case is filed under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. The U.S. Courts explain that not all debts are discharged, and 11 U.S.C. § 523 lays out many of the main exceptions for individual debtors. U.S. Courts, Legal Information Institute
In this post you’ll learn what nondischargeable debt means, which debts commonly survive bankruptcy, why some debts are treated differently, and where confusion often happens before someone files. If you want a broader overview of the main categories, this more detailed explanation of which bankruptcy debts often remain after discharge can help add context as you read.
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A bankruptcy discharge is the court order that releases a debtor from personal liability for certain debts. When a debt is nondischargeable, that debt generally remains enforceable after the bankruptcy discharge is entered. In other words, the bankruptcy case may eliminate many unsecured obligations, but some debts are carved out by statute or require additional litigation to determine whether they survive. U.S. Courts, Legal Information Institute
This is one reason bankruptcy planning can get complicated quickly. The question is often not just “Can I file?” It’s also “What will still be owed when the case is over?”
That question has become more relevant as filings have increased. According to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, total bankruptcy filings reached 542,529 in the year ending June 30, 2025, up 11.5% from the prior year. U.S. Courts
Congress created exceptions to discharge for policy reasons. Some debts are treated differently because they involve family support obligations, certain taxes, public penalties, educational loans, intentional misconduct, or fraud-related conduct. The U.S. Courts notes that some debts are excluded because of the nature of the obligation or because they arise from improper behavior. U.S. Courts
Here’s what this often means in practice:
That’s why two debts that look similar on paper can be treated very differently in court.
The Bankruptcy Code contains a long list of exceptions, but a handful come up again and again in consumer cases. Below are the categories people most often run into.