Wage Garnishment Calculator
Calculate the maximum legal amount that can be garnished from your paycheck for debt based on federal CCPA guidelines.
Wage Garnishment Calculator
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How Does Wage Garnishment Work?
Wage garnishment is a legal procedure where a portion of your earnings is withheld by your employer for the payment of a debt. Most garnishments require a court order, except for special debts like unpaid taxes, student loans, or child support.
Federal CCPA Protections
To ensure that individuals have enough money to live on, federal law limits how much can be taken from a paycheck. The maximum amount depends on your disposable income and the type of debt you owe.
- Standard Debt (Credit cards, medical bills, personal loans): Capped at 25% of disposable income, or whatever exceeds $217.50 per week.
- Child Support & Alimony: Capped at 50% to 65% depending on your family situation and arrearage status.
- Student Loans: Limited to 15% of your disposable income under federal rules.
- Unpaid Taxes: The IRS uses its own exemption tables based on the standard deduction and number of dependents; it often garnishes much more than the 25% standard limit.
Some states (like Texas, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and South Carolina) do not allow wage garnishment for standard consumer debts at all. In other states, the exemption amount is higher than the federal limit. This calculator uses the federal baseline.