SupportDecode

Reviewed for current 2026 law

Arkansas Support Withholding Calculator

Arkansas withholds current support plus at least 20 percent toward arrears, up to the federal limits of 50 to 65 percent of disposable earnings.

Reviewed by SupportDecode Editorial Team Page content reviewed Sources Methodology Update log

withholding calculator

Earnings

Weekly pay left after deductions required by law, such as taxes (15 U.S.C. 1672). Voluntary deductions still count as disposable.

Situation
Does the paying parent support another spouse or dependent child?
Do the arrears cover a period more than 12 weeks ago?

Maximum weekly withholding for support: $480.00

That is 60% of disposable earnings, the federal CCPA ceiling that applies to this situation (15 U.S.C. 1673(b)(2)).

How this limit was computed
Line itemAmount
Federal CCPA ceiling: 60% of disposable earnings (15 U.S.C. 1673(b)(2))15 U.S.C. 1673 (CCPA garnishment limits: 50/55/60/65% for support) (U.S. Congress (text via Cornell LII mirror))$480.00
Maximum support withholding: 60% of disposable earnings15 U.S.C. 1673 (CCPA garnishment limits: 50/55/60/65% for support) (U.S. Congress (text via Cornell LII mirror))$480.00

Assumptions

  • Disposable earnings are earnings minus deductions required by law (15 U.S.C. 1672); voluntary deductions are not subtracted.
  • Obligor does not support another spouse or dependent child.
  • No arrears older than 12 weeks.

Estimate only. The court or state agency calculation controls.

Federal CCPA ceiling under 15 U.S.C. 1673(b)(2); state rules under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-14-218; 9 CAR § 5-207; 15 U.S.C. § 1673(b). Rules last reviewed 2026-09-25.

Federal support limits constrain withholding

Under Ark. Code § 9-14-218, every support order tells the employer to withhold current support plus at least 20 percent more toward any arrears. The state applies the 20 percent unless the court orders a specific amount or percentage. Some older orders still say 10 percent, but the statute has required at least 20 percent since 2003.

Federal law caps the total at 50 percent of disposable earnings if the parent supports another spouse or child, and 60 percent if not. Each cap rises to 55 or 65 percent for support owed for periods more than 12 weeks back. Arkansas’s rule asks whether the arrearage equals or exceeds 12 weeks of support.

Withholding normally starts right away with the order, unless the court finds good cause or the parties sign a written alternative agreement. If an order has no withholding clause, withholding can start once 30 days of support is unpaid and notice is given.

The employer must start no later than the first pay period that occurs more than 14 days after the notice was mailed, and send the money on the same day the employee is paid, to the Arkansas Child Support Clearinghouse.

Federal tiers
50%, 55%, 60%, 65%source
Toward arrears
At least 20% of the periodic paymentsource
Lump sums
Up to 50% of the net paymentsource
Employer fee
Up to $2.50 per pay periodsource
Start
First pay period more than 14 days after mailingsource
Arkansas authority
Ark. Code § 9-14-218source

Enter disposable earnings

Use earnings after legally required deductions. The result is the most that can be withheld, not the amount owed; the withholding notice sets the amount.

An employer may keep up to $2.50 per pay period on top of the support amount for its costs. The state child support office charges nothing for withholding itself.

What this estimate includes

  • Maximum withholding
  • Arkansas 20% arrears rule
  • Timing, fee, and priority rules

What it leaves out

  • Order priority among several families
  • Employer fees in the result

Arkansas withholding calculator FAQs

How much can be withheld for child support in Arkansas?

Up to 50 percent of disposable earnings if the parent supports another spouse or child, or 60 percent if not. The limit rises to 55 or 65 percent when the arrears equal or exceed 12 weeks of support. The order sets the actual amount.

How much goes toward arrears?

At least 20 percent of the periodic support payment, unless the court orders a specific amount or percentage. Some older orders may still say 10 percent.

Can bonuses or settlements be taken?

Yes. From a lump-sum payment, the full past-due amount can be taken, up to 50 percent of the net lump sum.

When does my employer have to start withholding?

No later than the first pay period that occurs more than 14 days after the notice was mailed. The employer must send the money on the same day the employee is paid.

Is 65% automatic?

No. The 65 percent limit applies only when the parent supports no other spouse or child and the arrears reach 12 weeks of support.

What income can be withheld?

Wages, Social Security Disability, workers’ compensation, unemployment benefits, and other income, but not Supplemental Security Income. Workers’ compensation withholding is up to 25 percent of periodic payments or 50 percent of lump sums, and unemployment benefits need a court order or the parent’s agreement.

What if there are several support orders?

Current support is paid first. If the total would exceed the federal limit, what remains for past-due support is split in proportion to each order’s past-due amount.

Does support come before other garnishments?

Yes. Support withholding has priority over any other attachment, execution, garnishment, or wage assignment, and it comes before health insurance premium deductions. The limit covers the combined total.

Can I contest withholding?

Only on three grounds: you are not the person who owes the support, the arrears are wrong, or the current amount is wrong. To get a court hearing, ask within 10 calendar days of the withholding notice.

What if my employer does not withhold?

An employer that fails to withhold after notice can be liable for the amounts it should have withheld, and the parent owed support can pursue it. If your employer does not withhold, you are still responsible for paying the clearinghouse yourself.

Good to know in Arkansas

  • Withholding follows the parent from one employer to the next until the support obligation ends or a court sets it aside. Employers must report new hires within 20 days.
  • When the duty of support ends, the paying parent must notify the employer, if withholding is in effect, and the agency within 10 days (Ark. Code § 9-14-237).
  • The agency may intercept up to 50 percent of a Social Security Disability lump sum for arrears.

Official sources

Official sources last verified: .

Changelog: page reviewed . Material changes appear in the update log.