Wage garnishment and exemptions in Idaho

How much can they take from your paycheck in Idaho?

After a court judgment on a credit card, medical bill or other consumer debt.

Deadline and form to protect your money in Idaho

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: Idaho court self-help (official).

How much of your pay can be garnished in Idaho

Wage limit

Federal limit applies: up to 25% of your disposable earnings, or the amount above 30 times the federal minimum wage ($217.50 a week), whichever is less.

Law

Idaho Code § 11-207

Like 17 of the 48 states we cover, Idaho relies on the federal cap (15 U.S.C. 1673(a)).

In nearby states

• Washington: Up to 20%
• Oregon: Up to 25%
• Nevada: 18–25%
• Utah: 25% (federal limit)

What creditors can't take in Idaho

• Home: up to $175,000 (Idaho Code § 55-1003).
• One vehicle: up to $10,000 (§ 11-605(3)).
• Household goods: up to $7,500 total, $1,000 per item (§ 11-605(1)).
• Any other tangible property: up to $1,500 (§ 11-605(10)).

What Idaho protects in a bank account

Your bank must automatically protect two months of directly deposited Social Security, SSI or VA benefits (31 CFR 212.5, 212.6). More in our guide to debt lawsuits.

Other kinds of debt follow other limits

• Child support: up to 50% of disposable earnings if you support another spouse or child, or 60% if you don't; 5% more if the support is more than 12 weeks late (15 U.S.C. 1673(b)).
• Federal student loans: up to 15% of disposable pay, without a court case, after a written notice at least 30 days ahead (20 U.S.C. 1095a).
• Other debts owed to a federal agency: up to 15% of disposable pay, and never below the federal 30-times-minimum-wage floor (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 Idaho

If you do not file a written answer in time, the court can enter a judgment against you without further notice. In small claims, a hearing is set only if you file the answer form (Idaho Code § 1-2303).

The time to answer in Idaho: 21 days after you are served, in District Court and the magistrate division (I.R.C.P. 12(a)(1)(A)).

What to do if you are sued in Idaho

How to claim an exemption in Idaho

1. Watch for deadlines

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

2. Know Idaho's limit

   Idaho's wage rule: Federal limit applies: up to 25% of your disposable earnings, or the amount above 30 times the federal minimum wage ($217.50 a week), whichever is less.

3. Protect your bank money

   Federal benefits paid by direct deposit are protected too (31 CFR 212.6).

4. Ask the court to protect your money

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

5. Ask for free help

   Free help in Idaho: Idaho Department of Finance (collection agency complaints and license questions) and Idaho Legal Aid Services (LawHelp network).

Questions about garnishment in Idaho

Keep reading about Idaho

• Idaho: every collection right on one page
• Statute of limitations in Idaho: 5 years
• Sued by a debt collector in Idaho: 21 days
• Debt collector laws in Idaho: license required
• “Is my debt too old?” checker for Idaho
• 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