What Is Wage Garnishment?
Wage garnishment occurs when a court or government agency orders your employer to withhold a portion of your earnings to pay a debt. Common reasons for garnishment include unpaid taxes, student loans, or child support.
Federal law sets limits on how much can be garnished from your paycheck. Generally, the maximum amount is 25% of your disposable earnings or the amount by which your weekly disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage, whichever is less.