How to Stop the Government From Garnishing Wages

Garnishment is a legal procedure where a creditor can collect a portion of a debtor's wages to satisfy an outstanding debt owed. In cases where the government is garnishing wages, it is usually to fulfill outstanding unpaid income or property taxes. Under federal law, credit collectors can only garnish a portion of your wages. For example, the government can only collect up to 60 percent of your disposable earnings, unless you are supporting a spouse or dependent child, then the government is limited to 50 percent of your disposable earnings.

Instructions

1

Contact the governing agency seeking to garnish your wages. For example, if the government is going to garnish your wages for failing to pay past due taxes, contact the Internal Revenue Service. Prior to garnishment you will receive several collection notices and a notice about the pending garnishment. The correspondence will list the agency attempting collections and provide you with contact information for a case worker you can call or write.

2

Discuss possible alternatives to garnishment with the respective governing agency by calling the case worker assigned to your case, if any. When talking with the representative or case worker for the creditor-agency, ask if you can create a prolonged repayment plan for the debt. Alternatively, offer to pay a portion of the entire amount in full, to completely satisfy the total debt owed (called an "accord and satisfaction"). For example, if you owe $1,000, offer to pay $750 to satisfy the debt.

3

Quit working. If you are not making a wage, the government cannot garnish your wage. However, you also will not be able to collect unemployment or any other form of government financial assistance as long as the garnishment order remains in effect.