How much of my paycheck can the IRS take through wage garnishment?

IRS wage garnishment (called a 'levy on wages') is more aggressive than standard creditor garnishment. The IRS uses Publication 1494 tables to determine the exempt amount, which is based on your filing status and number of dependents. The exempt amount is equivalent to the standard deduction plus one personal exemption per pay period. For 2024, a single filer with no dependents paid weekly keeps about $304 per week (roughly $1,217 monthly). Everything above that amount goes to the IRS. This means the IRS can take 60-80% of your paycheck, far more than the 25% limit that applies to most private creditor garnishments. For a taxpayer earning $5,000/month with one dependent, the IRS might take approximately $3,500, leaving only about $1,500. Commission-based and bonus income is levied at 100% with no exempt amount. This aggressive garnishment is why addressing IRS debt before it reaches the levy stage is critical. Once a levy is in place, you can negotiate its release by entering an installment agreement, applying for an OIC, or demonstrating economic hardship.