Overview: Garnishments

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Garnishments Defined

A garnishment is a legal order to withhold a specified sum from an employee’s wages to satisfy a debt. Depending upon the agency, different terminology may be used to refer to the garnishment. All are appropriate legal terms for a garnishment:

  • "Levy" used by the Federal Government
  • "Earnings Withholding Order" used by the State
  • "Wage Assignment" used by the Sheriff's Department, Child Support Agencies, District Attorney, and Family Support Divisions
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Stanford's Response to a Garnishment Order


Employee Notification

  • Upon receipt of a garnishment order, Payroll will notify the employee. Payroll will send employee copies of all required paperwork.
Important Note:  Stanford employees should never sign or accept garnishment orders from outside Processors. If approached, employees should direct Processors to the Payroll Department located at 655 Serra Street.

Payroll Deductions

  • After the required waiting period (defined in the garnishment order) has been observed, Payroll is required to deduct a portion of the employee’s salary earned from future paychecks until the terms of the garnishment order have been satisfied (i.e. the debt has been paid).
  • The terms of the garnishment (i.e. amount to be withheld each pay period) is defined by the taxing agency or firm / person named as plaintiff in the order. Only the issuer of the garnishment has legal authority to modify payment terms or cancel the garnishment order.
  • Payroll deducts from your pay check an administrative fee of $1 per garnishment per pay period.
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Recommended Actions for Employees Receiving Garnishment Orders

  • Carefully read all garnishment documentation received from Payroll upon receipt.
  • As needed, contact the appropriate agency or an attorney to request a delay or to work out a different payment arrangement.
  • Promptly respond to Federal and State tax garnishments by:
    • Completing the Statement of Exemptions form (Part 4 and 5) included in the garnishment documentation received from Payroll. This statement confirms the number of your dependencies and determines the amount of your pay check each pay period that will be exempt from garnishment.


      • Caution:  If Payroll does not receive the Statement of Exemptions form, they will be forced to give you the default exemption specified by the IRS, which is "single -- with one exemption." This would result in the maximum amount of garnishment to be taken from your pay check each pay period. By completing the form, you can receive the exempted amount that you are legally entitled determined by the number of your direct dependents.

    • Contact the IRS to pursue alternate payment plan.
  • Obtain a written release from the agency when the terms of the garnishment order have been satisfied (i.e. the debt has been paid in full). The agency will contact Stanford when the terms of the garnishment have been satisfied, but it may not happen in a timely manner.
  • Send the written release to Payroll at 655 Serra Street, ID Mail Code: 6112. This will ensure timely discontinuation of the deductions from your pay check. (Kelly - when will the release take effect after sending the release to Payroll?)
  • Keep all copies of a garnishment for at least seven years.
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Questions?

To request duplicate copies of your garnishment order, or to privately discuss your garnishment, we recommend that you:

  • Submit a HelpSU ticket. Select Category Central Office, and Request Type Payroll. The Garnishment Supervisor in the Payroll Department will contact you, or
  • Call the Payroll Garnishment Supervisor directly at 650-723-7561.
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