Updated for 2026 guidelines
Texas Child Support Wage Garnishment Calculator 2026
Texas caps child support withholding at 50 percent of your disposable earnings, which is stricter than the federal limits. Estimate your maximum here.
Reviewed by SupportDecode Editorial Team Page content reviewed Sources Methodology Update log
Estimate the Texas withholding limit
Maximum weekly withholding for support: $400.00
That is 50% of disposable earnings under the Texas cap for this situation (Tex. Fam. Code 158.009), at or below the federal CCPA tier.
| Line item | Amount |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| State cap: 50% of disposable earnings (Tex. Fam. Code 158.009)Maximum withholding for child support is 50% of the obligor disposable earnings, below the federal CCPA 55/60/65 tiers.Tex. Fam. Code ch. 158 (158.009 withholding cap 50%) (Texas Legislature) | $400.00 |
| Maximum support withholding: 50% of disposable earnings15 U.S.C. 1673 (CCPA garnishment limits: 50/55/60/65% for support) (U.S. Congress (text via Cornell LII mirror)) | $400.00 |
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.
Texas cap under Tex. Fam. Code 158.009; federal ceiling under 15 U.S.C. 1673(b)(2). Rules last reviewed 2026-08-06.
How much of a paycheck can go to child support
Most Texas child support is paid by income withholding. Your employer takes the ordered amount out of each paycheck and sends it in. The Attorney General reports that about 80 percent of child support payments arrive this way.
Federal law sets ceilings on how much can be withheld for support. The Consumer Credit Protection Act allows 50 percent of disposable earnings if you support another spouse or child, or 60 percent if you do not. Each ceiling rises by 5 points, to 55 or 65 percent, when arrears are more than 12 weeks old.
Texas is stricter. For child support, Texas law caps withholding at 50 percent of disposable earnings, no matter which federal tier would apply.
Disposable earnings are what is left of your pay after deductions required by law, such as taxes and social security. Voluntary deductions like a 401(k) contribution or health coverage you chose do not reduce disposable earnings for this limit.
How to use this estimate
Enter your pay and your legally required deductions. The tool computes your disposable earnings, applies the Texas 50 percent cap, and shows the most that can be withheld for child support from that paycheck.
The cap is a ceiling, not the amount you owe. Your order sets the amount. Withholding only hits the cap when the ordered amount, often with an extra amount toward arrears, is more than half your disposable earnings.
Other garnishment types follow different rules. This page covers child support withholding under the Texas Family Code only.
What this estimate includes
- The Texas 50 percent cap on child support withholding
- The federal CCPA tiers for comparison
- Disposable earnings figured from legally required deductions
What it leaves out
- Garnishments that are not child support, such as student loans or taxes
- Employer administrative fees
- Your actual ordered amount, which comes from your support order
To see what the rest of your paycheck looks like after taxes, the PayDecode take-home pay calculator picks up where this tool leaves off.Open the PayDecode paycheck calculator
Texas garnishment FAQs
How much of my paycheck can Texas take for child support?
At most 50 percent of your disposable earnings, under Tex. Fam. Code § 158.009. Disposable earnings are your pay after legally required deductions like taxes and social security.
What are disposable earnings?
Your earnings minus deductions required by law, such as federal income tax, social security, and Medicare. Deductions you chose, like retirement contributions or optional insurance, still count as disposable earnings when the limit is figured.
What are the federal garnishment limits for child support?
Federal law allows 50 percent of disposable earnings if you support another spouse or child and 60 percent if you do not, rising to 55 or 65 percent when arrears run more than 12 weeks. These are ceilings; states may set lower caps, and Texas caps child support withholding at 50 percent.
Why is the Texas limit lower than the federal one?
The federal CCPA sets maximums, and states are free to protect more of a worker’s pay. Texas chose a flat 50 percent cap for child support withholding instead of the higher federal tiers.
Does the 50 percent cap cover arrears payments too?
The Texas cap applies to child support withholding from your disposable earnings, including when an order adds an amount toward arrears. Withholding for support cannot exceed 50 percent of disposable earnings in a pay period.
Is wage withholding normal, or does it mean I am in trouble?
It is the standard way support is paid in Texas. The Attorney General reports that about 80 percent of child support payments are collected through wage withholding, including from parents who have never missed a payment.
Official sources
Official sources last verified: .
- Tex. Fam. Code ch. 158 (158.009 withholding cap 50%)
Texas Legislature Last checked
- 15 U.S.C. 1673 (CCPA garnishment limits: 50/55/60/65% for support)
U.S. Congress (text via Cornell LII mirror) Last checked
- DOL WHD Fact Sheet #30 (CCPA garnishment; rev. Dec. 2024)
U.S. Dept. of Labor WHD Last checked
- OAG "Wage Withholding" page (withholding mechanics; 80% of payments collected via withholding)
Texas OAG Last checked
Reviewed by SupportDecode Editorial Team Page content reviewed Sources Methodology Update log
Changelog: page first published with the Texas 50 percent cap and the federal CCPA tiers. Material changes are dated in the update log.