Complete Guide to Federal & State Garnishment, 2012 Edition

Complete Guide to Federal and State Garnishment provides much-needed clarity when the federal and state laws appear to conflict. You'll find plain-English explanations of the laws and how they interact, as well as the specific steps you and your staff need to take to respond to the order properly. Numerous detailed examples and mathematical calculations make it easy to apply the law under different scenarios. Written by Amorette Nelson Bryant, who was recently named the chair of both the APA GATF Child Support Subcommittee and Garnishment Subcommittee, Complete Guide to Federal and State Garnishment brings the payroll professional up-to-date on the latest federal and state laws and regulations affecting this ever-changing area. It is your one-stop source for answers to critical questions, such as:

• Does the amount exempt from garnishment change when the minimum wage goes up?
• How do I determine the wages to which the garnishment applies?
• If an employee is subject to more than one garnishment, which has priority?
• Which state's rules do I use when I receive a child support order sent from another state?
• State or federal law - which applies for creditor garnishment and support?
• Are there alternatives to remitting withheld child support via EFT/EDI?
• How do I handle garnishments when employees are paid a draw against salary?

The 2012 Edition of Complete Guide to Federal and State Garnishment brings the payroll professional up to date on the latest federal and state laws and regulations affecting this ever-changing area, including:

• What new requirement mandates your rejecting a child support order and returning it to the sender effective May 31, 2011
• New required element for new-hire reporting
• What the federal Office of Child Support is working on to make your reporting of lump-sum payments easier Whether to include nonaccountable plan reimbursements paid to an employee as earnings for purposes of income withholding for child support
• Updated telephone numbers for bankruptcy courts
• Revised Income Withholding Order - and an explanation of its requirements Oregon withholding limit increase for arrears only support orders and lump sum payments
• Example of a profile form used to receive income withholding orders electronically
• Explanation of Oklahoma legislation passed in 2011 that clarifies the aggregation requirements when withholding for an attachment with priority and a garnishment
• Standard Verification of Employment response for child support agencies that was adopted by 22 states
• Updated information for implementation of Electronic Income Withholding Order
• and expanded communications capabilities
• When you must reject an income withholding order beginning May 31, 2012
• Updated Oregon minimum exemption for garnishment and unique requirements for calculating pay period amount Lump-sum reporting requirements for West Virginia
• Update on an electronic National Medical Support Notice EFT/EDI support payment requirements for Iowa, North Dakota, and West Virginia
• Revised flowchart for electronic income withholding process for child support Increased minimum exemption amount for garnishment in Massachusetts
• Additional cautions and information regarding "voluntary wage assignments" to repay delinquent payday loans What to do if an employer receives a Kentucky Agreed Garnishment Order