Wage Garnishment Calculator by State 2026 — How Much Can Be Taken From Your Paycheck?
Under federal CCPA rules (15 U.S.C. §1673), the maximum wage garnishment for most consumer debts is the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount by which weekly disposable earnings exceed $217.50 — but child support garnishments can take 50–65% of disposable earnings, with no state law override permitted. Enter your income below to see exactly how much can be withheld.
Wage garnishment is a legal process by which a creditor obtains a court order directing your employer to withhold a portion of your earnings and send it directly to the creditor. Federal law — the Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA) — sets the maximum amount that can be garnished from any single paycheck. State laws may set lower limits, and some states prohibit wage garnishment entirely for certain types of debts (though not for child support or taxes).
Disposable earnings are defined as earnings remaining after legally required deductions — Social Security taxes, Medicare taxes, federal and state income tax withholding, and mandatory retirement contributions. Voluntary deductions (health insurance, 401(k) contributions, union dues) do not reduce disposable earnings for garnishment calculation purposes. Our calculator helps you estimate how much of your paycheck is at risk based on your income, state, and the type of garnishment.
Federal and State Wage Garnishment Limits (2026)
| Debt Type | Federal Maximum | State May Lower? |
|---|
| Consumer debt (credit cards, loans) | 25% of disposable or 30×min wage excess | Yes — many states have lower limits |
| Child support (supporting another family) | 50% of disposable earnings | No — federal floor applies |
| Child support (not supporting another family) | 60% of disposable earnings | No — federal floor applies |
| Child support (12+ weeks in arrears) | +5% on top of above limits | No |
| Federal tax debt (IRS) | Exempt amount based on dependents; no % cap | No — federal rules govern |
| Student loans (federal) | Up to 15% of disposable earnings | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can my employer fire me for a wage garnishment?
- Federal law (CCPA §304) prohibits employers from discharging an employee because of a single wage garnishment. However, this protection does not extend to a second or subsequent garnishment. Some states provide broader protections — check your state's law for additional protections against termination due to garnishment.
- How do I stop a wage garnishment?
- Options include: paying the debt in full, negotiating a settlement with the creditor, filing for bankruptcy (which triggers an automatic stay on most garnishments), filing a claim of exemption with the court if your income is below the protected threshold, or disputing the underlying debt or judgment if you believe it is invalid.
- Is child support garnishment the same as other garnishments?
- No — child support wage withholding is a mandatory income withholding order sent directly to your employer, often effective immediately when a child support order is entered. The CCPA limits are higher for support obligations (50–65%) than for consumer debts (25%). Child support withholding has priority over all other garnishments.
- What is "disposable earnings" for garnishment purposes?
- Disposable earnings are your gross wages minus legally required deductions: federal income tax withholding, state income tax withholding, Social Security taxes, and Medicare taxes. Voluntary deductions — such as 401(k) contributions, health insurance premiums you choose, and union dues — do NOT reduce disposable earnings for garnishment calculations. Your take-home pay may be significantly less than your disposable earnings as defined by law.
- Can multiple creditors garnish my wages at the same time?
- Yes, multiple garnishment orders can be active simultaneously, but the total amount withheld cannot exceed the CCPA limits. Child support withholding takes priority and counts first against the federal caps. Other creditors' garnishments can only take what remains within the legal limits after child support withholding is satisfied.
- Is Social Security income protected from wage garnishment?
- Social Security benefits (including SSDI and retirement) are exempt from most consumer debt garnishments under federal law (42 U.S.C. §407). However, Social Security benefits can be garnished for: federal income tax debts (IRS levies), federal student loans, and child support or alimony obligations. SSI is fully exempt from all garnishment.
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