133Rate of deductions

133  Rate of deductions

 (1) For the purposes of paragraph 129(3)(a), the rate at which a deduction is to be made from the debtor’s net salary on a pay day for the debtor is 20% unless subsection (2), (3) or (4) of this section applies.

 (2) The paying officer may reduce the rate at which deductions are to be made if the paying officer is satisfied that the debtor:

 (a) is suffering serious financial hardship; or

 (b) would suffer serious financial hardship if the rate of deduction is not reduced.

 (3) If the debtor asks the paying officer, in writing, to make deductions at a rate greater than 20% of the debtor’s net salary, the paying officer must comply with the request as soon as practicable after receiving the request.

 (4) If:

 (a) deductions are being made at a rate greater than 20% of the debtor’s net salary; and

 (b) the debtor asks the paying officer, in writing, to reduce the rate of the deductions;

the paying officer must reduce the rate as soon as practicable after receiving the request, but is not required to reduce the rate to less than 20%.