Wage Garnishment Calculator 2026
Calculate the maximum amount that can be taken from your paycheck. Know your rights under federal CCPA law and your state's specific protections.
Quick Answer
Federal law limits wage garnishment to the lesser of: 25% of disposable earnings, or the amount by which weekly disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage ($7.25/hr × 30 = $217.50/week). For a $1,000 weekly paycheck after taxes, the maximum garnishment is $217.50/week. Some states have stricter limits that protect more of your income.
Paycheck Details
Garnishment Results
Disposable Earnings
$1,650.00
Max Garnishment
$0.00
Minimum Take-Home
$2,000.00
Rule Applied
Texas — wages exempt from consumer debt garnishment
Your state protects wages from garnishment for consumer debts like credit cards and medical bills. Exceptions: child support, student loans, tax debt.
Texas Protects Your Wages
Texas exempts wages from garnishment for consumer debts. Creditors cannot garnish your paycheck for credit card debt, medical bills, or personal loans without a special court order.
Maximum Wage Garnishment by Paycheck Amount — 2026
Consumer debt garnishment. Federal CCPA limits. Bi-weekly paycheck. Assumes 20% in mandatory deductions.
| Gross Pay (bi-weekly) | Disposable Earnings | Max Garnishment | Min Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $800 | $65 | $735 |
| $2,000 | $1,600 | $200 | $1,400 |
| $3,000 | $2,400 | $435 | $1,965 |
| $4,000 | $3,200 | $800 | $2,400 |
| $5,000 | $4,000 | $1,000 | $3,000 |
Federal CCPA limits. State limits vary — TX, PA, NC, SC exempt wages from consumer debt garnishment. Source: U.S. Department of Labor. TODO: VALIDATE state-specific limits via official sources.
Wage Garnishment Calculator by State
Frequently Asked Questions
How much of my paycheck can be garnished?
Federal law (Consumer Credit Protection Act / CCPA) limits wage garnishment to the lesser of: (1) 25% of disposable earnings, or (2) the amount by which weekly disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage ($7.25 × 30 = $217.50/week). Many states have stricter limits — Texas, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and South Carolina exempt most wages from consumer debt garnishment entirely.
What is disposable income for wage garnishment purposes?
For wage garnishment purposes, disposable income is your gross earnings minus legally required deductions — specifically federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security (FICA), Medicare, and state unemployment insurance. Health insurance premiums, 401(k) contributions, and other voluntary deductions do NOT reduce disposable income for garnishment calculations.
Can my employer fire me for wage garnishment?
Federal law (CCPA Title III) prohibits employers from firing an employee because of a SINGLE wage garnishment. However, if you have two or more separate garnishments, you lose this federal protection and your employer may be able to terminate you. Some states provide stronger protection against garnishment-related termination.
How long does wage garnishment last?
Wage garnishment continues until the full debt (including interest and fees) is paid off, the creditor releases the garnishment, or a court orders it stopped. For child support, garnishment continues as long as support is owed. For consumer debt judgments, the garnishment period depends on the judgment expiration in your state — typically 5–20 years (and often renewable).
What types of debt can lead to wage garnishment?
Most wage garnishments require a court judgment — meaning the creditor sued you and won. Types include: consumer debt (credit cards, medical bills, personal loans), student loan defaults, tax debt (IRS/state can garnish without a court judgment), child support and alimony (also without a court judgment), and defaulted federal student loans. Credit card debt requires the creditor to sue you first.
Can Social Security be garnished?
Social Security benefits have limited garnishment protections. They can be garnished for: federal tax debts, defaulted federal student loans (up to 15%), child support and alimony, and restitution. Social Security CANNOT be garnished for commercial debts (credit cards, medical bills, personal loans). When SS is deposited in a bank account, the bank must protect at least 2 months of SS payments from garnishment.
How do I stop wage garnishment?
Options to stop or reduce wage garnishment include: (1) Pay the debt in full, (2) Negotiate a payment plan or settlement with the creditor, (3) File for bankruptcy — an automatic stay stops most garnishments immediately, (4) Claim an exemption if your state has applicable exemptions, (5) Challenge the judgment in court if you believe it was wrongly obtained, (6) Request a hardship exemption in some jurisdictions.
What is the difference between wage garnishment and wage levy?
Wage garnishment is typically ordered by a civil court for private creditor debts (credit cards, judgments). A wage levy is an administrative action by a government agency — primarily the IRS — to collect unpaid taxes, and does not require a court order. IRS levies use a different formula than CCPA consumer debt limits, with amounts based on your standard deduction and exemptions (Publication 1494). State tax agencies can also levy wages without a court judgment.