Attachment of Earnings Calculator (AEO) | Instant Estimate

Deductions Calculator

Use this Attachment of Earnings Calculator to estimate a possible deduction from your net pay. Choose the order type, pay frequency and any figures shown on your official letter for a more accurate guide.

Select Order Type

Not sure which option applies? Use the title on your official council, DWP or court letter.

Your Pay Details

Use pay after Income Tax, National Insurance and compulsory pension deductions. Do not use gross salary.

Add your details, then click Calculate to view the estimate.

Add your details, then click Calculate to see your estimate.

Understanding Attachment of Earnings

If an employer has been asked to take debt payments from your salary or wages, this Attachment of Earnings Calculator can help you estimate what may be deducted. It covers common UK orders, including council tax attachments, benefit debt recovery and court-based attachment of earnings orders.

How This Calculator Works

Calculations are based on your net earnings. For the clearest estimate, use the figure from your payslip after Income Tax, National Insurance and compulsory pension deductions. If your notice shows a Protected Earnings Rate (PER), Normal Deduction Rate (NDR) or debt balance, enter those figures exactly as written.

Net Earnings
Pay after tax, NI and compulsory pension deductions.
Pay Frequency
Weekly, fortnightly, 4-weekly, monthly or daily where available.
Order Type
Council tax, DWP benefit debt or court attachment order.
Official Notice
Use the rates and balances shown on your letter where possible.
Example: If your monthly net earnings are £1,850 and your order uses a percentage-based deduction, the calculator estimates the deduction from your take-home pay rather than your gross salary. If your notice includes a protected earnings rate or normal deduction rate, enter those figures for a closer estimate.
Visual guide showing Attachment of Earnings Calculator inputs
Important: This calculator is for guidance only. It does not replace advice from your employer, payroll department, council, DWP, court or a qualified debt adviser.

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.
Can this calculator show the exact deduction?
It can provide a useful estimate when you enter accurate net earnings and order details. The exact deduction should be confirmed by your employer, payroll department, council, DWP or court notice.
Should I use gross pay or net pay?
Use net pay after Income Tax, National Insurance and compulsory pension deductions. Using gross salary can make the estimated deduction look higher than it should be.
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. Used by local councils to recover unpaid council tax through wages.
DEA
Direct Earnings Attachment. Used by the DWP to recover certain benefit overpayments from earnings.
NDR
Normal Deduction Rate. The fixed amount a court may state should be deducted each pay period.
LIABILITY ORDER
A court order that allows a council to take enforcement action for unpaid council tax.