Federal law caps how much of a paycheck can legally be garnished, with a much lower cap for ordinary debts than for child support or alimony.
How it works
For ordinary debts, the maximum garnishable amount is the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage. For child or spousal support, the cap rises to 50% or 60% of disposable earnings depending on whether the worker supports another spouse or child.
What this does not include
This does not include state law, which can set an even lower garnishment cap than these federal limits — state law controls whenever it’s more protective of the worker than the federal floor.
How to use this calculator
- Enter weekly disposable earnings and select the garnishment type.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as “disposable earnings”?
Earnings left after legally required deductions like taxes and Social Security — voluntary deductions like retirement contributions or health insurance generally don’t reduce the disposable earnings figure used for garnishment limits.
Why is the child support limit so much higher than ordinary debt?
Congress specifically prioritized support obligations over consumer debt collection, allowing a much larger share of a paycheck to be garnished for supporting a child or former spouse.
Can multiple garnishments apply to the same paycheck?
Yes, but the combined total generally still can’t exceed the applicable federal (or stricter state) cap — support and tax garnishments typically take priority over ordinary consumer debt.
