Wage Garnishment Limits in Iowa

At a glance

Requirements one by one

Maximum garnishment amount

Iowa Code § 642.21(1) incorporates the federal weekly limit in 15 U.S.C. § 1673(a), then imposes a calendar-year maximum per judgment creditor. The annual cap is $250 when expected earnings do not exceed $12,000; $400 from $12,000 to under $16,000; $800 from $16,000 to under $24,000; $1,500 from $24,000 to under $35,000; $2,000 from $35,000 to under $50,000; and 10% of expected earnings from $50,000 upward. The expected earnings figure comes from the garnishee's answers.

For a judgment arising from a consumer credit transaction, § 537.5105(2)(a) also caps the weekly amount at the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or earnings above 40 times the federal minimum hourly wage. The federal rate appears in 29 U.S.C. § 206(a)(1)(C).

Head-of-household exemption

For a consumer credit judgment, § 537.5105(4) lets the debtor file a verified application to protect more earnings for their own or their family's maintenance. A sufficient application triggers a hearing between five and ten days after filing; the court may temporarily stay garnishment and grants additional protection to the extent the evidence shows it is necessary.

Multiple garnishments priority

Iowa Code § 626.3 states that only one execution shall exist at the same time. Section 642.24 separately directs that support amounts be paid first from garnished funds, after the specific garnishment's issuance fees.

Employee termination protection

Under Iowa Code § 642.21(2)(c), an employer may not discharge an individual because earnings were subject to garnishment for indebtedness.

What trips people up

The annual cap is measured for each creditor and calendar year; it does not replace the weekly federal or consumer credit limit. Section 642.21(1) also names support-related exceptions to its annual cap. A consumer seeking more protection for family maintenance must file a verified application under § 537.5105(4).

Common questions

Is the 40-times wage floor available for any debt? No. Section 537.5105(2)(a) applies it to a judgment arising from a consumer credit transaction. Other debts follow the federal weekly limit incorporated by § 642.21(1).

Can support be paid before an ordinary judgment creditor? Yes. Section 642.24 requires support owed to be paid first from garnished funds, after applicable issuance fees.

Statutes and sources

• Iowa Code § 642.21 — https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/642.21.pdf (accessed 2026-10-07)
• Iowa Code § 537.5105 — https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/537.5105.pdf (accessed 2026-10-07)
• Iowa Code § 626.3 — https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/626.3.pdf (accessed 2026-10-07)
• Iowa Code § 642.24 — https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/642.24.pdf (accessed 2026-10-07)
• 15 U.S.C. § 1673 — https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2024-title15/html/USCODE-2024-title15-chap41-subchapII-sec1673.htm (accessed 2026-10-07)
• Iowa Code § 537.5105(4) — https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/537.5105.pdf (accessed 2026-10-07)
• 29 U.S.C. § 206(a)(1)(C) — https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2024-title29/html/USCODE-2024-title29-chap8-sec206.htm (accessed 2026-10-07)