Garnishment — Payroll Definition

What is Wage Garnishment?

Wage-garnishment limits and procedures depend on the type of order, disposable earnings, federal law, and any more-protective state rule. Tax levies, support orders, bankruptcy orders, and ordinary creditor garnishments can follow different limits. Preserve the order and pay statement and use current agency or legal guidance instead of applying one percentage to every deduction.

How to apply this payroll definition

Locate the label beside its current-period amount, taxable-wage basis, and year-to-date total. Compare it with prior genuine statements, benefits materials, the employer's payroll documentation, and the primary source linked on this page. The same abbreviation can carry a different employer-specific meaning.

What the label does not prove

A familiar term or plausible amount does not authenticate a pay statement or confirm identity, employment, wages, deductions, tax compliance, or eligibility. Ask the verified payroll contact about an unknown code. Use current agency instructions or a qualified adviser when a rate, filing, benefit, garnishment, or legal decision depends on the answer.

Browse all payroll definitions or use the pay-statement codes guide.