Wisconsin wage garnishment: 80% exempt, poverty line protected.

The short answer

Wisconsin exempts 80% of the debtor's disposable earnings from garnishment, so no more than 20% can be taken. Earnings are totally exempt if household income is below the poverty line or the debtor receives need-based public assistance. Source: Wis. Stat. 812.34, read November 1, 2026.

What the statute says

Section 812.34(2)(a) says that, unless the court grants relief under s. 812.38(2) or paragraph (b) or (c) applies, 80 percent of the debtor's disposable earnings are exempt from garnishment. Subsection (2)(b) makes earnings totally exempt if the debtor's household income is below the poverty line, or if the debtor receives need-based public assistance, has received it within 6 months before the garnishment forms were served on the employer, or has been determined eligible although benefits have not started. Subsection (2)(c) limits the garnishment to the household income above the poverty line if taking 20% would push household income below it.

In Wisconsin's garnishment subchapter, "disposable earnings" means earnings after deducting social security taxes and federal and state income taxes listed on the wage statement (812.30(6)). "Household income" is the disposable earnings of the debtor and dependents in the month, plus unearned income, less earnings assigned by court order under chapter 767 (812.30(8)). The "poverty line" is the income guideline under 42 USC 9902(2) (812.30(10)).

Subsection (3) requires the judicial conference to publish weekly, biweekly, semimonthly and monthly schedules dividing the annual poverty line for families of various sizes, revised annually and effective July 1.

Payday loans

Section 812.35(1a) bars an earnings garnishment action to recover the amount owed for a payday loan, as defined in s. 138.14(1)(k).

How this calculator applies it

It takes 20% of your disposable earnings, compares that with the federal cap and shows the lower figure. Tick the box if your household income is below the poverty line or you receive need-based public assistance to see the total exemption. The partial poverty-line limit in 812.34(2)(c) depends on your household size and income; use the court's schedule and worksheet for it.

Worked example

Gross pay $1,000.00 weekly, required deductions $200.00, weekly pay: disposable earnings $800.00. WI rule allows $160.00, the federal cap allows $200.00, so the most that can be garnished is $160.00 and $640.00 stays in the paycheck.

More examples (same engine as the calculator)

How it compares with the federal limit

Federal law (15 USC 1673(a)) caps garnishment for ordinary debts at the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount by which they exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage of $7.25, which protects $217.50 a week. A state may protect more, never less. When both apply, the lower amount controls, and the calculator shows both. See the federal wage garnishment limit calculator for support orders and for Texas, Pennsylvania and South Carolina, or the state comparison table.

What this page does not cover

The partial poverty-line limit in 812.34(2)(c), relief by the court under s. 812.38(2), child support withholding and tax levies. Tax levies, defaulted federal student loans and bankruptcy orders follow their own rules. Court costs, exemptions you must claim yourself, and the procedure for objecting are decided by the court that issued the judgment.

Frequently asked questions

How much can be garnished from wages in Wisconsin?

At most 20% of disposable earnings, because 80% is exempt (Wis. Stat. 812.34(2)(a)), and never more than the federal cap.

When are wages completely exempt in Wisconsin?

When household income is below the poverty line, or the debtor receives need-based public assistance, received it within 6 months before service, or was determined eligible (812.34(2)(b)).

How does Wisconsin define disposable earnings?

Earnings after deducting social security taxes and federal and state income taxes listed on the wage statement (812.30(6)).

Can I be garnished for a payday loan in Wisconsin?

No. An earnings garnishment action may not be brought to recover the amount owed on a payday loan (812.35(1a)).

What if 20% would put my household below the poverty line?

The garnishment is limited to household income above the poverty line (812.34(2)(c)). The judicial conference publishes schedules and worksheets for this.

Sources

Statute text and agency pages read November 1, 2026. Statutes are amended; check the current version before relying on a figure.

• Wis. Stat. ch. 812, subch. II: 812.30 definitions, 812.34 exemptions, 812.35 commencement (Wisconsin Legislature): The 80% exemption, poverty-line and need-based-aid exemptions, definitions and the payday-loan bar.
• 15 USC 1673 (Cornell LII): The federal 25% / 30-times-minimum-wage cap and the support-order percentages.
• 29 CFR 870.10 (Cornell LII): How the weekly formula converts to longer pay periods.