Minnesota Wage Garnishment Calculator
Enter your income details to estimate the maximum that can legally be taken from your paycheck under Minnesota and federal rules.
Key Minnesota garnishment facts
| State abbreviation | MN |
|---|---|
| Consumer debt limit | 25% of disposable earnings, subject to the 40x minimum wage test |
| Child support limit | 50% if supporting another family, 60% otherwise, plus 5% for arrears |
| Federal student loans | 15% administrative garnishment cap |
| State minimum wage | $11.41 |
| Minimum wage source used in calculator | Minnesota minimum wage |
| Head of household protection | No additional protection listed |
| Statute reference | Minnesota Statutes §571.922 |
Additional notes
Minnesota's Debt Fairness Act (effective October 1, 2024) created a graduated garnishment scale. Weekly disposable earnings at or below 40 times the state minimum wage ($456.40) are fully protected; above that, creditors may take 10%, 15%, or 25% of disposable earnings depending on income, with tier thresholds at $684.60 (60x) and $912.80 (80x) per week.
Tax levy note: Minnesota Department of Revenue can levy wages for state tax debts.
Key protections and reminders
- • Weekly disposable earnings up to $456.40 (40x state minimum wage) fully protected
- • Graduated caps: 10%, 15%, or 25% of disposable earnings depending on income
- • Tier thresholds at $684.60 (60x) and $912.80 (80x) per week
- • Court judgment required for consumer debt garnishment
- • Exemption claims can be filed within 14 days
Run the numbers: three Minnesota 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 pay | Est. disposable | Max consumer-debt garnishment |
|---|---|---|
| $800.00 | $600.00 | $143.60 |
| $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: Minnesota 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 Minnesota?
Weekly disposable earnings at or below $456.40 (40× the Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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. Minnesota Department of Revenue 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.