Attachment of Earnings Calculator (AEO) | Instant Estimate

Deductions Calculator

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Not sure? Check the title of your official DWP or Local Council letter.

Your Pay Details

This is your pay AFTER Tax, National Insurance, and compulsory Pensions.

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Understanding Attachment of Earnings

Are you worried about how much an attachment of earnings will deduct from your salary? If you have unpaid debts, such as council tax, benefit overpayments, or court-ordered payments, a local authority or the DWP can instruct your employer to take money directly from your wages. This is a legal process known as an Attachment of Earnings Order (AEO).

How This Calculator Works

Calculations are based on your net earnings. To get an accurate result, you should use the figure from your payslip that remains after deducting Income Tax, National Insurance, and mandatory pension contributions.

Net Earnings
Gross pay minus tax, NI, and pension.
Pay Frequency
Weekly, fortnightly, or monthly pay periods.
Order Type
CTAEO (Council Tax), DEA, or Court AEO.
attachment of earnings calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my employer charge an administration fee?
Yes. Your employer is legally entitled to deduct £1 per order per pay period to cover their administrative costs. This is taken from your earnings in addition to the debt deduction.
What is the Protected Earnings Rate (PER)?
For Court-issued AEOs, the PER is the minimum amount of money the court decides you must be left with for essential living costs. If your pay drops, no deduction is made if it would reduce your earnings below this level.
What are 'Net Earnings' for this calculation?
Net earnings are your gross pay minus statutory deductions: Income Tax, Class 1 National Insurance, and mandatory pension contributions. This does not include voluntary deductions such as union fees or health schemes.
What if I have multiple types of orders?
UK law has a hierarchy of priority. Generally, Court AEOs take priority over council tax orders. Your employer's payroll department will manage the priority based on legal guidance.
Will this affect my credit rating?
The attachment of earnings process usually follows a County Court Judgment (CCJ) or Liability Order, which are the elements that impact your credit score, not the specific payroll deduction.
How long will the deductions last?
Deductions will continue every pay period until the total debt balance, including any court or local authority costs, is fully cleared or the order is cancelled.

UK Enforcement Glossary

CTAEO
Council Tax Attachment of Earnings Order. A specific legal instrument for local councils.
DEA
Direct Earnings Attachment. Used by the DWP to recover benefit overpayments.
NDR
Normal Deduction Rate. The specific fixed amount ordered by a court to be deducted.
LIABILITY ORDER
A court order granting the council authority to take enforcement action.