Ohio Wage Garnishment Calculator — How Much of Your Paycheck Can Be Garnished?

Gross Pay ($)

Pay Frequency Weekly Biweekly Semimonthly Monthly

Mandatory Deductions (optional) Federal tax, state tax, FICA, Medicare (voluntary items do not count). Leave blank or tick "Use typical deduction estimate" below to apply our 18% estimate; entering an amount uses it as-is.

Use typical deduction estimate

Debt Type Consumer Debt (credit cards, medical, judgments) Child Support Student Loans (Federal, defaulted) IRS Tax Levy

Child Support Situation Supporting another spouse or child (max 50%) Supporting another spouse or child + arrears >12 weeks (max 55%) Not supporting another spouse or child (max 60%) Not supporting another + arrears >12 weeks (max 65%) The CCPA sets different caps depending on your family situation and whether payments are more than 12 weeks in arrears.

Calculate Garnishment

⚠️ IRS Tax Levy Cannot Be Calculated as a Simple Percentage

Unlike consumer debt, child support, or student loan garnishments, an IRS wage levy is not capped at a flat percentage of your income. The IRS uses IRS Publication 1494 (updated annually) to set a fixed exempt amount based on your:

• Filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.)
• Number of dependents claimed
• Pay frequency

Everything you earn above that exempt amount is sent directly to the IRS each pay period — which often amounts to 50–70% or more of your net pay, far exceeding the 25% limit that applies to consumer debts.

To find the exact amount that would be taken, contact a tax professional or use the IRS's own resources:

• IRS Levy information — IRS.gov
• IRS Publication 1494 (levy exempt amount tables)

An IRS levy is one of the most aggressive collection tools available. If you have received a Notice of Intent to Levy (Letter 1058 or CP504), act promptly — you generally have 30 days to respond or appeal before the levy takes effect.

Estimated Garnishment

$0.00

Remaining net pay: $0.00

25% rule: $0.00

Protected earnings: $0.00

Applicable limit: $0.00

This is an estimate based on the Consumer Credit Protection Act and Ohio Revised Code. Consult a legal professional for specific advice.

🔒 Free & no sign-up 📋 Based on CCPA & Ohio Rev. Code § 2329.66 📱 Mobile-friendly 🔄 Updated July 2026

This calculator provides an informational estimate based on the published rules and rates for Ohio, United States as of July 2026. It does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Individual circumstances—including personal exemptions, deductions, regional rules, and special situations—may produce different results. For decisions involving tax obligations, payroll processing, or financial planning, consult a qualified professional licensed in your jurisdiction.

Ohio Wage Garnishment Examples: See the Math

The table below shows estimated garnishment amounts for common weekly income scenarios in Ohio. Assumes typical mandatory deductions of 18% of gross pay and consumer debt (25% cap).

Results are estimates for illustrative purposes. Actual garnishment depends on your specific deductions, debt type, and legal circumstances.

How Much Can Be Garnished in Ohio? (Quick Answer)

In Ohio, the maximum amount that can be garnished from your paycheck for a consumer debt is the lesser of 25% of your disposable earnings or the amount by which your disposable earnings exceed $217.50 per week (30 times the federal minimum wage).

Two rules determine your garnishment cap:

• 25% Rule: No more than 25% of your disposable earnings can be taken.
• Protected Earnings Rule: You keep at least $217.50 per week (or $435 biweekly, $471.25 semimonthly, $942.50 monthly). If your disposable earnings are at or below these amounts, your wages are fully protected.

Ohio follows federal law under Ohio Revised Code §2329.66 (read the statute), which mirrors the Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA).

Ohio Wage Garnishment Limits by Debt Type

Not all garnishments are treated equally. Here's how different debt types affect your paycheck in Ohio.

What Is Disposable Income? (Critical Distinction)

Disposable income — the amount of your paycheck that can be garnished — is your gross pay minus mandatory deductions. Voluntary deductions do not count. Understanding this distinction can significantly affect your garnishment calculation.

• Mandatory deductions (subtract these):
  • Federal income tax
  • Ohio state income tax
  • Municipal income tax (e.g., RITA, CCA, or JEDD withholding)
  • Social Security (FICA) — 6.2%
  • Medicare — 1.45%
  • Mandatory retirement contributions (e.g., state pension)
• Voluntary deductions (do NOT subtract these):
  • 401(k) or 403(b) contributions
  • Health insurance premiums
  • Life insurance
  • Union dues
  • Charitable contributions
  • Voluntary retirement savings

How to Calculate Ohio Wage Garnishment (Step-by-Step)

Here's exactly how Ohio calculates wage garnishment under federal law. You can follow these steps to verify your garnishment or check our calculator's results.

1. Find your gross pay — Your total earnings before any deductions.
2. Subtract mandatory deductions — Federal tax, state tax, FICA, Medicare, and mandatory pension. This gives your disposable income.
3. Determine your pay period multiplier — Weekly = 1, Biweekly = 2, Semimonthly = 2.1667, Monthly = 4.3333.
4. Calculate your protected amount — $217.50 × your pay period multiplier. This is the minimum you must keep.
5. Calculate the 25% limit — 25% × your disposable income.
6. Calculate the protected earnings limit — Your disposable income − your protected amount. If this is negative, your garnishment is $0.
7. Your maximum garnishment is the lesser of Step 5 and Step 6.

Example 1: Weekly Pay — $500 Gross, $100 Deductions

• Disposable income: $500 − $100 = $400
• Protected amount: $217.50
• 25% limit: $400 × 0.25 = $100
• Protected earnings limit: $400 − $217.50 = $182.50
• Garnishment: lesser of $100 and $182.50 = $100 per week

Example 2: Weekly Pay — $300 Gross, $50 Deductions

• Disposable income: $300 − $50 = $250
• Protected amount: $217.50
• 25% limit: $250 × 0.25 = $62.50
• Protected earnings limit: $250 − $217.50 = $32.50
• Garnishment: lesser of $62.50 and $32.50 = $32.50 per week

Example 3: Weekly Pay — $200 Gross, $40 Deductions

• Disposable income: $200 − $40 = $160
• Protected amount: $217.50
• 25% limit: $160 × 0.25 = $40
• Protected earnings limit: $160 − $217.50 = -$57.50 (negative, so $0)
• Garnishment: lesser of $40 and $0 = $0 per week

Example 4: Child Support — Weekly Pay $900, $150 Deductions

• Disposable income: $900 − $150 = $750
• Not supporting another spouse or child → 60% cap
• 60% limit: $750 × 0.60 = $450
• Garnishment: $450 per week (child support is not subject to the $217.50 protected floor)

Example 5: Federal Student Loan (defaulted) — Weekly Pay $700, $100 Deductions

• Disposable income: $700 − $100 = $600
• 15% limit: $600 × 0.15 = $90
• Protected earnings limit: $600 − $217.50 = $382.50
• Garnishment: lesser of $90 and $382.50 = $90 per week

Your actual garnishment may vary based on your specific deductions and debt type. Use our calculator above for a personalized estimate, or consult an Ohio attorney for legal advice.

Ohio Minimum Wage ($11.00) — Does It Change the Calculation?

No. Ohio's $11.00 minimum wage (effective January 1, 2026, per the Ohio Department of Commerce) does NOT change your garnishment calculation. Federal law (the CCPA) uses the federal minimum wage of $7.25 — not the state minimum — for the protected earnings test. Ohio Revised Code §2329.66 explicitly adopts the federal standard.

However, Ohio's $11.00 minimum wage matters for other reasons. It sets the minimum hourly rate your employer must pay you (for employers with annual gross receipts above $405,000). But when it comes to garnishment, the $217.50 weekly protected amount is based on $7.25, not $11.00.

The federal minimum wage hasn't changed since 2009, which means the $217.50 protected amount has remained constant. Ohio's minimum wage increases do not affect this calculation — only Congress can change the federal minimum wage.

What If You Earn Less Than $217.50 Per Week? (Protected Earnings)

If your weekly disposable income is at or below $217.50, your wages are fully protected from garnishment in Ohio. No creditor can take money from your paycheck, regardless of the debt amount, because you're considered below the poverty threshold under federal law.

The CCPA protects 30 times the federal minimum wage — currently $217.50 per week. This amount is adjusted for other pay periods: $435 biweekly, $471.25 semimonthly, and $942.50 monthly. If your disposable income falls at or below these thresholds, you cannot be garnished.

• Weekly: Disposable income of $210 → $0 garnishment
• Biweekly: Disposable income of $425 → $0 garnishment
• Semimonthly: Disposable income of $460 → $0 garnishment
• Monthly: Disposable income of $930 → $0 garnishment

What this means for you:

• You keep your full paycheck
• Your employer cannot withhold garnishment amounts
• You can claim this exemption if your income is below the threshold
• This applies to consumer debts, not child support (which has different rules)

This protection applies even if you have multiple consumer debts. However, child support garnishments may still be enforceable even if your income is below the protected amount, so consult a professional for specific cases.

How to Stop a Wage Garnishment in Ohio (5 Actionable Steps)

If you're facing wage garnishment in Ohio, you have options. Here are five proven ways to stop or reduce the garnishment, ranked from immediate to long-term solutions.

1. Pay the debt in full — The simplest solution. Once the debt is paid, the garnishment must stop. Contact the creditor to get the exact payoff amount.
2. File a request for hearing with the court — If you believe the garnishment is illegal, exceeds the limit, or you weren't properly notified, you can file a Request for Hearing with the court (the standard form is issued by your county's clerk of courts). Under Ohio law (ORC § 2716.06), you must deliver your written request for hearing to the clerk of court no later than five (5) business days after you receive the garnishment notice. If you miss this window, you waive your right to a hearing.
3. File for bankruptcy — Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy automatically stops all wage garnishments immediately (the "automatic stay"). This is a powerful option but has long-term consequences.
4. Negotiate a payment plan — Creditors may agree to stop garnishment if you agree to a voluntary payment plan. This avoids court action and gives you control.
5. Claim an exemption — If your income is below the protected amount ($217.50 weekly), you can file a claim of exemption with the court. Provide proof of your income and deductions.

Before taking action, gather these documents:

• Garnishment notice
• Pay stubs for the last 3 months
• Your most recent tax return
• Any court documents you've received

Free legal help is available: Ohio Legal Aid provides free civil legal assistance, and the Ohio Attorney General publishes consumer protection resources on wage garnishment.

Employer Responsibilities — What Your Employer Must Do

Your employer plays a key role in wage garnishment. Here's what Ohio law requires from employers when they receive a garnishment order.

• Withhold the correct amount — Calculate the garnishment based on the court order and federal limits.
• Remit payments to the court — Send the withheld amount within 30 days after the end of each pay period (ORC § 2716.07).
• Notify you — Upon receiving the garnishment order, the employer (garnishee) is served with copies of the notice to the judgment debtor, which must be delivered to you (ORC § 2716.05). There is no separate statutory deadline requiring the employer to contact you within a specific number of days beyond this delivery requirement.
• Answer the court within 5 business days — The employer must return a completed Answer of Employer form to the court within five (5) business days of receiving the order (ORC §§ 2716.05, 2716.21).
• Retain records — Keep documentation of all withheld amounts.
• Notify the court if your employment ends — Inform the court if you leave the job by filing a Final Report and Answer of Garnishee (ORC § 2716.08).

Employers cannot fire you solely because of a single wage garnishment. Federal law (CCPA, 15 U.S.C. § 1674) prohibits termination for one debt. Under Ohio law (ORC § 2716.05), no employer may discharge an employee solely because of the successful garnishment of that employee's earnings by only one judgment creditor in any 12-month period. However, if you have multiple garnishments for different debts, this protection may not apply.

Remember, your employer is following a court order. If you have questions about the calculation, speak with a qualified Ohio employment or debt attorney. Our calculator provides an estimate, not legal advice.

Employers managing garnishment withholding alongside municipal income tax deductions may also need to track when local withholding begins for new hires — see our Ohio 20-day payroll rule calculator.

What Makes This Ohio Wage Garnishment Calculator Different?

Most Ohio wage garnishment calculators give you a number and stop. This page does more — it shows you the math, explains the law, and tells you what to do next.

• Ohio-specific calculation — Uses Ohio's $11.00 minimum wage context (explaining why it doesn't change the federal formula).
• All debt types covered — Consumer, child support (with all four CCPA variants), student loans, and IRS levies with accurate, debt-specific guidance.
• Real examples with full math — See exactly how the number is calculated.
• Protected earnings test — Clear explanation of the $217.50/week threshold.
• Actionable next steps — 5 ways to stop garnishment, including the correct 5-business-day Ohio deadline.
• Employer perspective — What your employer must do (often ignored by calculators), with accurate ORC-cited timelines.
• Mobile-first, no sign-up, always free.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ohio Wage Garnishment

This FAQ is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

Methodology — How We Calculate Ohio Wage Garnishment

Our calculator uses the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA) formula as adopted by Ohio Revised Code §2329.66. The calculation follows these steps:

• We start with your gross pay per pay period.
• We subtract mandatory deductions (or apply a typical estimate of 18% if you choose).
• We determine your disposable income.
• We calculate the protected earnings amount based on 30 times the federal minimum wage ($7.25) adjusted for your pay frequency.
• We apply the 25% cap for consumer debt (or the appropriate cap for other debt types).
• The final garnishment is the lesser of the applicable percentage rule and the protected earnings test.
• For child support, we apply the correct CCPA cap (50%, 55%, 60%, or 65%) based on the user's selected situation.
• For IRS tax levies, we do not display a calculated estimate because IRS levies use a fixed exempt-amount formula (IRS Publication 1494) that cannot be accurately replicated with a simple percentage. We provide guidance and direct users to IRS resources instead.

All rates and thresholds are based on current 2026 federal and Ohio law. Data sources include the U.S. Department of Labor Fact Sheet #30 (December 2024 edition), Ohio Revised Code §2329.66, and IRS Publication 1494 (Rev. 12-2025). This calculator is part of the Ohio Tax & Payroll hub, which covers municipal income tax, school district income tax, RITA penalties, local tax credits, and reciprocity.

Last updated: July 2026 · Fact-checked against: DOL Fact Sheet #30 (Dec 2024), ORC §2329.66, IRS Pub. 1494 (Rev. 12-2025).

Written & reviewed by: the AKCalc Payroll & Legal Research Team. See our editorial standards and calculation methodology.

Disclaimer: This tool provides estimates only. Actual garnishment amounts may differ based on individual circumstances, court orders, and specific legal interpretations. Always consult a qualified attorney for legal advice.