Texas provides the gold standard in wage garnishment protection. The Texas Constitution explicitly prohibits wage garnishment for consumer debts. Combined with no state income tax, Texas workers keep more of their paycheck than workers in almost any other state. This constitutional protection makes Texas one of the most favorable states for workers facing consumer debt issues.
Constitutional Protection
Article XVI, Section 28 of the Texas Constitution states that no current wages for personal service shall be subject to garnishment. This protection is enshrined in the state constitution, making it extremely difficult to change. It applies to all consumer debts including credit card debt, medical bills, personal loans, and auto deficiency balances.
Use our Texas Wage Garnishment Calculator to see how TX's protections affect your situation. For comparison, check out our California Wage Garnishment Calculator and Florida Wage Garnishment Calculator.
What Can Still Be Garnished in Texas
Despite the strong constitutional protection, Texas still allows wage garnishment for child support and spousal maintenance, federal tax levies (IRS), and federal student loans. The Texas Constitution's protection applies specifically to consumer debts. For child support details, see our child support guide. Also, read How Much Can Be Garnished From My Paycheck? to understand the limits.
Bank Levies in Texas
While your wages are constitutionally protected, creditors can still pursue bank levies to seize money after it has been deposited in your bank account. However, Texas also provides some bank account protections, particularly for wages that have been deposited within the past 60 days. See our article on wage garnishment vs bank levies and What Assets Are Protected from Wage Garnishment in Texas.
No State Income Tax Bonus
Texas has no state income tax, which means your take-home pay is already higher than in most states. Combined with the constitutional prohibition on consumer debt garnishment, Texas workers enjoy exceptional paycheck protection.
Texas joins Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and South Carolina as the four states prohibiting consumer debt garnishment. See our strongest protection states ranking and visit our states overview page to explore laws across the U.S. Compare your options at our comparison tool.
Need Help Beyond the Calculator?
If you're dealing with wage garnishment or other debt issues in Texas, professional help may be the fastest path forward. Visit our Resources page to explore vetted options for debt relief.