What Are the Federal Limits on Garnishment?

The federal garnishment law limits the amount of employee wages that are subject to garnishment to the lesser of 25 % of the employee's disposable earnings (earnings remaining after all legally required deductions have been made) or the amount by which disposable earnings exceed 30 times the current minimum hourly wage as set by the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Based on a federal minimum wage rate of $6.55 per hour (effective July 24, 2008), the following garnishment limits apply:

Weekly payroll:

• Disposable earnings of $196.50 or less: No amount may be garnished.
• Disposable earnings more than $196.50, but less than $262.00: Amount above $196.50 may be garnished.
• Disposable earnings of $262.00 or more: Maximum garnishment 25% of disposable earnings.

Biweekly payroll:

• Disposable earnings of $393.00 or less: No amount may be garnished.
• Disposable earnings more than $393.00 but less than $524.00: Amount above $393.00 may be garnished.
• Disposable earnings of $524.00 or more: Maximum garnishment 25% of disposable earnings.

Semimonthly payroll:

• Disposable earnings of $425.75 or less: No amount may be garnished.
• Disposable earnings more than $425.75 but less than $567.67: Amount above $425.75 may be garnished.
• Disposable earnings of $567.67 or more: Maximum garnishment 25% of disposable earnings.

Monthly payroll:

• Disposable earnings of $851.50 or less: No amount may be garnished.
• Disposable earnings more than $851.50 but less than $1,135.33: Amount above $851.50 may be garnished.
• Disposable earnings of $1,135.33 or more: Maximum garnishment 25% of disposable earnings.

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Based on a federal minimum wage rate of $6.55 per hour (effective July 24, 2008), the following garnishment limits apply: