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title: "Payroll Tax Deductions & Garnishments Explained"
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description: "Statutory guide covering mandatory FICA/SUTA deductions vs Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA) wage garnishment limits and child support priorities."
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> **Canonical Source:** [https://statepayrules.com/guides/payroll-tax-deductions-garnishments-explained/](https://statepayrules.com/guides/payroll-tax-deductions-garnishments-explained/)
>
> *Statutory guide covering mandatory FICA/SUTA deductions vs Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA) wage garnishment limits and child support priorities.*

# Payroll Tax Deductions & Garnishments Explained

An exhaustive statutory legal breakdown of mandatory payroll taxes (FICA, FUTA, SUTA) versus statutory garnishment limits under Title III of the Consumer Credit Protection Act.

Employment Law Analysts

## 1. Statutory Garnishment Limits under CCPA Title III

Gross earnings are subject to mandatory statutory tax withholdings (FICA, FUTA, FIT, SIT, SUTA) before arriving at **"disposable earnings"**. Under Title III of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 U.S.C. § 1673), maximum garnishment limits vary based on debt classification:

| Debt Type | Maximum Statutory Garnishment Cap | Statutory Reference |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Ordinary Consumer Debt (Credit Cards, Medical) | Lesser of 25% of disposable earnings OR amount over 30× federal minimum wage ($217.50/wk) | 15 U.S.C. § 1673(a) |
| Child Support & Alimony (Supporting other dependents) | 50% of disposable earnings (55% if > 12 weeks in arrears) | 15 U.S.C. § 1673(b)(2)(A) |
| Child Support & Alimony (No other dependents) | 60% of disposable earnings (65% if > 12 weeks in arrears) | 15 U.S.C. § 1673(b)(2)(B) |
| Federal Student Loans | Up to 15% of disposable earnings | 20 U.S.C. § 1095a |

## 2. Worked Math Example: Consumer Debt Garnishment Limit

An employee earns **$1,000.00 gross weekly wages**. Mandatory tax deductions (FICA + Federal Income Tax + State Income Tax) total **$220.00**.

## Frequently Asked Questions (Garnishments & Taxes)

Under 15 U.S.C. § 1674, federal law prohibits an employer from discharging an employee because their earnings have been subjected to garnishment for **any one indebtedness**. However, federal protection does not apply if an employee is subjected to garnishments for multiple distinct debts.

Child support withholding orders always take statutory priority over commercial credit card or medical debt garnishments. If child support deductions exhaust the CCPA allowable ceiling, no funds remain for lower-priority consumer garnishments.

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