What is wage garnishment?

A court-ordered process where your employer withholds a portion of your earnings and sends it directly to a creditor or government agency to satisfy a debt.

How much of my paycheck can be garnished?

Federal law limits garnishment to 25% of disposable earnings or the amount by which earnings exceed 30× the federal minimum wage, whichever is less. States may set lower limits.

What types of debt can lead to garnishment?

Consumer debts (credit cards, medical bills), child support, student loans, and tax debts can all result in wage garnishment after a court judgment.

Can my employer fire me for wage garnishment?

Federal law prohibits employers from firing an employee for a single garnishment. However, this protection does not extend to multiple garnishments.

How do I stop a wage garnishment?

Options include paying the debt in full, negotiating a settlement, filing for bankruptcy (which triggers an automatic stay), or challenging the garnishment in court.

What is disposable income for garnishment purposes?

Disposable income is your gross pay minus legally required deductions - taxes, Social Security, and Medicare. Voluntary deductions like 401(k) do not reduce disposable income.

Are there state limits beyond the federal limit?

Yes. States like Illinois (15%), New Jersey (10%), and New York (10%) impose stricter limits than the federal 25% cap.

Can Social Security be garnished?

Generally no for consumer debts. However, Social Security can be garnished for child support, alimony, federal taxes, and federally guaranteed student loans.

Employment Law

Wage Garnishment Calculator - New York

Reviewed by TheLegalCalc Editorial Team | Last updated: April 2026

Sources: U.S. Department of Labor | IRS | State Bar Associations

Find out how much of your paycheck can be garnished in New York. State limit: 10%. Free calculator for New York residents.

Content last reviewed: April 2026

Legal data verified: March 2026•Sources: DOL | NCSL | State Courts•Next review: January 2027

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State

Weekly Disposable Income ($)

Your gross pay minus legally required deductions (taxes, Social Security, Medicare)

Garnishment Type

How the New York Wage Garnishment calculator works

Long-form calculator methodology content will appear here after editorial drafting.

New York wage garnishment laws: what you need to know

State-specific procedural and statute context will be populated in a later content pass.

Frequently asked questions

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Legal Disclaimer: The results provided by TheLegalCalc are estimates for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by state and change frequently. Always consult a licensed attorney in your state before making legal decisions.

State-specific legal disclaimer

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How It Works

Federal law under Title III of the Consumer Credit Protection Act limits how much of your disposable earnings can be garnished each pay period. The limit depends on the type of debt: consumer debts are capped at 25%, while child support obligations can reach 50–65%. Many states set stricter limits. This calculator applies both the federal floor and your state's specific garnishment cap.

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