Wage Garnishment Survival Math
Wage Garnishment Survival Calculator
What this calculator does
Federal law allows up to 25% of disposable earnings to be garnished. This calculator shows what is left after the hit.
The math, with a worked example
Post-garnishment pay = gross paycheck × 0.75. Subtract rent, groceries, utilities, transport, and other expenses to find surplus or shortfall. A $2,000 paycheck drops to $1,500 after garnishment. Against $2,200 of bills, $1,200 rent plus $350 groceries, $200 utilities, $150 transport, and $300 other, you face a $700 shortfall.
Why this matters
A garnishment order shrinks the paycheck before it lands, and the question that matters is brutally specific: does 75% of gross still cover rent, food, power, and transport? $1,500 against $2,200 of bills is a $700 hole to plan around, not discover at the register.
Methodology and transparency
Post-garnishment pay = gross × 0.75, then survival bills subtract to a surplus or shortfall. The flat 25% models the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act cap for ordinary consumer debts — but the real deduction can differ: the CCPA alternative test (amounts above 30× the federal minimum wage), state caps that are lower, and child support or tax garnishments that run far higher all change the number. Your pay stub's actual deduction beats the model. Everything runs in your browser; no data is sent or stored.
Last reviewed: 2026-08-08
Common questions
Can I stop garnishment?
Options include negotiating, claiming exemptions, or entering a payment plan. Filing also triggers an automatic stay that halts most garnishment — run the means test first to see if that route is open to you.
Is 25% the max?
For most consumer debts, yes. Child support and tax debts can take more.