AR Garnishment Law

Arkansas Wage Garnishment Calculator

Arkansas follows the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act for wage garnishment limits. The state allows garnishment of up to 25% of disposable earnings for consumer debts. Arkansas has constitutional provisions that provide some additional protections, particularly for the wages of married individuals, though these protections have been narrowed by court interpretations over the years.

Arkansas Wage Garnishment Calculator

Enter your income details to estimate the maximum that can legally be taken from your paycheck under Arkansas and federal rules.

Key Arkansas garnishment facts

State abbreviationAR
Consumer debt limit25% of disposable earnings, subject to the 30x minimum wage test
Child support limit50% if supporting another family, 60% otherwise, plus 5% for arrears
Federal student loans15% administrative garnishment cap
State minimum wage$11.00
Minimum wage source used in calculatorFederal minimum wage baseline
Head of household protectionNo additional protection listed
Statute referenceArkansas Code §16-110-401 et seq.

Additional notes

Arkansas follows federal CCPA limits. The state constitution provides some additional protections for wages of married persons.

Tax levy note: Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration can levy wages for state tax debts.

Key protections and reminders

  • • Federal CCPA limits apply: 25% of disposable earnings
  • • Constitutional protections for wages of married persons
  • • Court judgment required before wage garnishment
  • • 60-day waiting period after judgment before garnishment can begin

Run the numbers: three Arkansas paychecks

These weekly examples assume roughly 25% of gross pay goes to legally required deductions; the calculator above lets you use your own numbers and pay schedule.

Gross weekly payEst. disposableMax consumer-debt garnishment
$800.00$600.00$150.00
$1,200.00$900.00$225.00
$2,000.00$1,500.00$375.00

For the full legal picture — process, exemptions, and how to respond — read the companion guide: Arkansas Wage Garnishment Laws Explained.

Calculator questions, answered

What are “disposable earnings”?

Your pay after legally required deductions — federal and state taxes, Social Security, and Medicare. Voluntary deductions like health insurance or 401(k) contributions usually do NOT reduce disposable earnings for garnishment purposes. The calculator estimates deductions at 25% of gross; your paystub has the real figure.

How much of my paycheck is completely safe in Arkansas?

Weekly disposable earnings at or below $217.50 (30× the federal minimum wage) cannot be touched for consumer debts, and the percentage cap limits what can be taken above that line.

How accurate is this calculator?

It applies the current Arkansas and federal formulas to the numbers you enter, but it estimates your deductions and cannot know case-specific court orders. Treat the result as a close estimate, and the court order as the final word. Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration can levy wages for state tax debts.

What if I have more than one garnishment?

Federal law caps the combined total, and priority matters: child support first, then tax levies, then other debts. A second creditor generally has to wait if the first already takes the legal maximum.