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Tennessee Wage Garnishment Formula:
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Wage garnishment in Tennessee is a legal process where a portion of an employee's earnings is withheld by an employer for the payment of a debt. Tennessee law provides specific protections for debtors regarding how much can be garnished.
The calculator uses the Tennessee wage garnishment formula:
Where:
Explanation: The garnishment is the lesser of either 25% of disposable earnings or the amount by which disposable earnings exceed the Tennessee exemption amount.
Details: Tennessee follows federal law (Title III of the Consumer Credit Protection Act) which limits garnishment to the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount by which disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage. Tennessee provides additional protections through state exemptions.
Tips: Enter your disposable earnings (after taxes and other required deductions) and the applicable Tennessee exemption amount. The calculator will determine the maximum amount that can be legally garnished under Tennessee law.
Q1: What counts as disposable earnings?
A: Disposable earnings are what remains after legally required deductions (federal/state taxes, Social Security, etc.). Voluntary deductions aren't subtracted.
Q2: What is the current Tennessee exemption amount?
A: The exemption amount varies. Check with the Tennessee Department of Labor for current figures. Our calculator lets you input the current applicable amount.
Q3: Are all debts subject to garnishment?
A: No. Child support, alimony, taxes, and student loans have different rules. Some debts may not be garnished at all.
Q4: Can my employer fire me for garnishment?
A: Tennessee law prohibits termination for a single garnishment, but multiple garnishments may not be protected.
Q5: How often is garnishment taken?
A: Typically each pay period until the debt is satisfied or the court order is modified.