Wage garnishment and exemptions in Arizona

How much can they take from your paycheck in Arizona?

For an ordinary debt such as a credit card or medical bill, after a court judgment.

Deadline and form to protect your money in Arizona

The papers from the court, your employer or your bank list the deadline to claim an exemption. Ask the court how to file the claim: Arizona court self-help (official).

Your paycheck and garnishment in Arizona

Wage limit

Stricter than federal: no more than 10% of your disposable earnings, or the amount above 60 times the highest applicable (federal, state or local) minimum hourly wage per week, whichever is less. Support orders and tax debts are different.

Law

A.R.S. § 33-1131(B); § 33-1126(A)(9)

Arizona is one of 9 of our 48 state guides with a cap of 10% or less, under the federal 25% (15 U.S.C. 1673(a)).

In nearby states

• California: Up to 20%
• Nevada: 18–25%
• Utah: 25% (federal limit)
• New Mexico: Up to 25%

More Arizona rules

• Arizona caps wage garnishment for ordinary debts at 10% of disposable earnings, well below the federal 25% (A.R.S. § 33-1131(B)).
• Since January 1, 2024, the homestead, vehicle and bank-account exemptions set by Proposition 209 (2022) are adjusted for inflation every year (A.R.S. §§ 33-1101(D), 33-1125(8), 33-1126(A)(9)).

Property you can keep in Arizona

• Your home equity is protected up to $400,000, and equity in one vehicle up to $15,000 ($25,000 if you or a dependent has a physical disability).
• Both amounts, and the bank-account amount, rise with inflation each January 1 since 2024 (A.R.S. §§ 33-1101, 33-1125(8), 33-1126(A)(9)).

Money in your bank account in Arizona

$5,000 in one account at one financial institution, adjusted each January 1 for inflation since 2024.

Directly deposited Social Security, SSI, VA and certain other federal benefits are protected up to two months' worth, without filing anything (31 CFR 212.5, 212.6). How garnishment follows a lawsuit.

When the debt is support, a student loan or taxes

• Child support: the cap is 50% of disposable earnings (60% if you support no other spouse or child), plus 5% when payments are over 12 weeks behind (15 U.S.C. 1673(b)).
• Federal student loans: the government can take up to 15% of disposable pay without suing you, but must mail you notice at least 30 days first (20 U.S.C. 1095a).
• Other debts owed to a federal agency: 15% of disposable pay at most, with the same 30-times-minimum-wage floor as other garnishments (31 CFR 285.11).
• Federal taxes: the IRS uses its own exempt amount, set by your standard deduction and dependents; give your employer the Statement of Dependents and Filing Status within 3 days (26 U.S.C. 6334(a)(9), (d); IRS wage levy rules).

No garnishment without a judgment in Arizona

If you do not file a written answer in time, the collector can ask the court for a default judgment. That judgment can then be used to garnish your wages or bank account.

If you are sued, answer on time. In Arizona: 20 days after you are served (30 days if you were served outside Arizona), in justice court and superior court (Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure, per Pima County Justice Courts).

What to do if you are sued in Arizona

Protecting your pay and property in Arizona

1. Keep every paper

   Look for the date to claim exemptions on every court, employer or bank notice.

2. Work out what Arizona protects

   Arizona's wage rule: Stricter than federal: no more than 10% of your disposable earnings, or the amount above 60 times the highest applicable (federal, state or local) minimum hourly wage per week, whichever is less.

3. Look at your bank account

   Arizona also protects money in an account: $5,000 in one account at one financial institution, adjusted each January 1 for inflation since 2024. Two months of direct-deposited federal benefits must be left alone (31 CFR 212.6).

4. Claim your exemptions in court

   Ask the court clerk for the exemption claim form and file it by the deadline. Start with Arizona court self-help (official).

5. Get free help

   Free help in Arizona: Arizona Attorney General – Consumer Complaints and AZLawHelp.org (free legal aid directory).

Questions about garnishment in Arizona

Related Arizona pages

• Arizona: every collection right on one page
• Statute of limitations in Arizona: 6 years
• Sued by a debt collector in Arizona: 20 days
• Debt collector laws in Arizona: license required
• “Is my debt too old?” checker for Arizona
• Dispute a debt and ask for proof (validation letter)
• Tell a collector to stop or limit contact
• Wage garnishment limits by state
• Guide: sued by a debt collector