Help with withholding orders

How to stop garnishments or other levies

The most effective way to stop garnishments or other levies is to pay in full. After you have paid, contact the number listed on your order. Have your payroll, bank, or other payor fax number prior to calling.

Tax payments

Visit Payment options to make a tax payment.

If you cannot pay in full, visit our If you cannot pay page for options to fit your situation.

To pay nontax payments

I was issued a levy in error

If you believe a levy was issued in error, call the number on the order to provide us the information. If we determine the levy was issued in error, we will release the levy. If we determine the levy was due to our error, we can reimburse you for charges incurred.

To request reimbursement for charges incurred for a levy that was released as issued in error, you must write to us within 90 days of the notice date. State the following in your letter:

  • The error was caused by an FTB error
  • The charges were the result of FTB’s error
  • You paid the charges and they were not otherwise waived or reimbursed
  • You responded and provided information and documentation we requested to resolve the account

Mail your letter to the address on the letter you received.

We will respond to your written request within 30 days of receipt.

How much we can collect per order

The type of order we send will decide how much we can collect per order.

Earnings withholding orders for taxes (EWOT)

Personal Income Tax wage garnishments can collect up to 25% of your pay until your balance is paid in full.

See our payment amount table on the How much to garnish from an employee’s pay page for more information.

Earnings withholding orders (EWO) for non-tax debt

VRC/COD wage garnishments issued can collect the following until the balance is paid in full:

  • Amount 1: 20% of the employee's disposable earnings for the week; or
  • Amount 2: 40% of the difference between the employee's disposable earnings for that week and the applicable minimum wage for that week.

If you received an EWO for VRC or COD visit our How much to withhold for VRC and COD page.

Orders to Withhold (OTW)

Personal Income Tax orders will collect 100% of all assets available or the entire balance due, whichever is less.

VRC and COD collections orders will collect up to 100% of all assets available after required exemptions, up to the entire balance due, whichever is less.

If you received an OTW for VRC or COD visit our How much to withhold for VRC and COD page.

Continuous Order to Withhold (COTW)

These orders can collect for 12 consecutive months or until the balance is paid in full, whichever comes first. The amount collected for each payment will be:

  • 25% if you're an individual
  • 100% if you're a business entity

I cannot pay what's due

Financial hardship (modification of your garnishment or levy)

We may modify your wage garnishment or other levy if you have a financial hardship.

To discuss a financial hardship, call us at the phone number shown on your letter.

Before you call, have your payroll, bank, or other payor fax number available in case we modify your garnishment.

We cannot reduce the total balance due.

What if I'm in bankruptcy

What if the asset is social security income or belongs to a third party

  • Call us if you only get paid social security income or you believe the asset is not your property.
  • We’ll review your account to determine the appropriate course of action.
  • Use the number on the letter from your bank or employer to contact us.