If a creditor wins a judgment against you, how much of your paycheck can they legally take? Federal law sets a ceiling. Your state may set a tighter one. Some income is fully protected. Enter your situation and see your real per-paycheck exposure.
Step 1 — Your Income Source
Many income types are 100% protected from private creditor garnishment under federal law. Pick the income source for the paycheck you're worried about.
Step 2 — The Debt Type
State protections apply mostly to consumer debt. Federal student loans, child support, and IRS taxes follow different rules and often bypass state protections.
Step 3 — Your State
Four states (TX, PA, NC, SC) prohibit consumer-debt garnishment entirely. Others provide tighter limits than the federal ceiling.
Step 4 — Your Paycheck
Enter the numbers from a recent paystub. Disposable earnings = gross pay minus mandatory deductions (taxes, FICA). Don't include voluntary deductions like 401(k) or health insurance — those don't count for garnishment math.
Total earnings before any deductions.
Do NOT include voluntary 401(k), health insurance, union dues, or HSA — those don't reduce disposable earnings for garnishment.
Your Per-Paycheck Garnishment Exposure
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Educational tool only — not legal advice. Garnishment law is fact-specific and changes frequently. State minimum wages, exemption thresholds, and procedures are updated regularly. This calculator uses the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA Title III) as the universal upper limit and surfaces state-specific protections you may qualify for. For your actual situation, consult a consumer-rights attorney or your state Department of Labor. If you're already facing garnishment, settlement or bankruptcy may stop or reduce it — talk to a DebtHelp advisor about your options.