Involuntary and Voluntary Pay Deductions: Utah

Federal law and guidance on this subject should be reviewed together with this section.

Authors: Elizabeth Dunning and Bradley T. Cave, Holland & Hart LLP

Summary

• An employer that receives an income withholding order for child support for an employee must begin withholding no later than on the first payday that occurs after five business days following receipt of the order. The amount withheld must be remitted within seven business days after payday. If the employee is terminated from employment, the employer must send a termination notice within five days. Employers may also be required to enroll dependent children in their group health plan. Penalties are imposed for violations of the law. See Child Support Withholding.
• Employers are required to comply with creditor garnishment orders, subject to the withholding limits established by federal law. Employers that fail to comply face civil remedies and penalties. See Creditor Garnishment Withholding.
• Utah employers are required to comply with tax levies issued against the wages of employees who have unpaid state taxes. See Tax Levies.
• Employees in Utah may voluntarily assign their earnings to a third party if certain conditions are met. See Voluntary Wage Assignments.