Alabama payroll taxes: Your 2026 guide to staying compliant

Alabama offers a welcoming business climate fueled by steady economic growth and a strong labor force. In 2024, the state’s real gross domestic product (GDP) reached approximately $252.7 billion, driven largely by key industries like automotive manufacturing, aerospace, healthcare, and agriculture. Alabama is also making strides in technology and biosciences, contributing to a more diverse and resilient economy.

With its favorable cost of living and expanding industrial base, the state presents an appealing landscape for both startups and established companies. However, operating a business in Alabama also means navigating a specific set of payroll tax obligations.

Let’s break down Alabama payroll taxes, the consequences of non-compliance, and the steps you can take to manage payroll accurately and efficiently.

Jump to:

• What are payroll taxes?
• Understanding Alabama payroll taxes
• Employer responsibilities for payroll taxes in Alabama
• Filing payroll tax returns in Alabama
• Common payroll tax mistakes in Alabama (and how to avoid them)
• How to manage your small business payroll obligations
• Leverage payroll software for compliance in Alabama

What are payroll taxes?

Payroll taxes are taxes based on wages, salaries, or other compensation that both employers and employees must pay. While income taxes are also withheld through payroll, payroll taxes specifically fund programs like Social Security, Medicare, and unemployment insurance.

Understanding Alabama payroll taxes

When starting a business in Alabama, you'll need to understand both federal and state payroll taxes.

Federal payroll taxes

Payroll taxes are mandatory and encompass both federal and state requirements.

Federal payroll taxes include:

• Federal income tax: This is withheld from each employee's paycheck based on their W-4 form and the current IRS tax brackets. You'll be responsible for calculating the correct amount, withholding it, and then sending it to the IRS.
• Social Security and Medicare taxes: Both of these taxes have a portion paid by the employee and a matching portion paid by you, the employer. For Social Security, the combined rate was 12.4% on the first $176,100 of wages in 2025. For Medicare, it's 2.9% on all wages, with an extra 0.9% for higher earners. You'll withhold the employee's portion and match it.
• Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA): This is paid solely by you at a rate of 6% on the first $7,000 of each employee's wages. However, most employers get a 5.4% credit, reducing the rate to 0.6%. The graphic below lists some best practices for managing your FUTA obligations.

Alabama state payroll taxes

In addition to federal payroll taxes, Alabama employers must also comply with state-specific payroll tax requirements. While Alabama's payroll tax landscape is simpler than that of other states, there are still key obligations to understand.

• Unemployment Compensation Tax (UC): Alabama employers must pay unemployment compensation tax. This tax provides temporary financial assistance to eligible workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. New businesses typically start with a standard 2.70% rate, which later adjusts based on an experience rating, industry classification, and claims history. Rates range from 0.59% to 6.19%, but only the first $8,000 of each employee’s wages is subject to UC tax.
• State Income Tax Withholding: Alabama requires employers to withhold state income tax from employee wages. Employers must either use the Alabama withholding tax tables or the withholding tax formula to calculate withholding amounts. They must ensure employees complete Form A-4 to determine the correct amount of withholding. The state has a progressive income tax system with rates ranging from 2% to 5%, depending on income and filing status. Accurate withholding is essential to avoid underpayment penalties for employees and compliance issues for employers.

Unlike some other states, Alabama does not require employers to pay into a state disability insurance program or a paid family leave program. There is also no additional state-level payroll tax for workforce reinvestment or similar funds.

Alabama local payroll taxes

Beyond the standard state-level requirements, businesses in Alabama must also consider local payroll obligations known as occupational taxes. These are levied by certain cities on wages earned within their respective jurisdictions. Employers are responsible for withholding and remitting them on employee paychecks.

1. Check with your local government to determine whether your business is subject to any occupational taxes. City or county revenue offices can provide the most current information on applicable rates, filing deadlines, and reporting requirements for your specific location.
2. Consult a tax professional if you're unsure about your obligations. An accountant specializing in Alabama payroll taxes is familiar with federal, state, and local tax structures and can help you identify which taxes apply to your business and ensure full compliance. This can save you time, reduce the risk of penalties, and help maintain accurate records across jurisdictions.

Other important tax considerations

Multiple locations

If your business has employees working in multiple jurisdictions, you may be subject to different local taxes for each location.

Changing rates

Local tax rates can change over time, so it's important to stay informed about any updates that may affect your business.

Employer responsibilities for payroll taxes in Alabama

As an Alabama employer, you're responsible for managing a complex array of federal and state payroll taxes, which involves careful calculation, timely withholding, and accurate reporting to various government agencies. Here’s an overview of what you should know.

Registering for payroll taxes

To comply with Alabama state regulations, employers must register for payroll tax obligations before paying wages to employees. Proper registration enables businesses to manage unemployment insurance contributions, state income tax withholding, and new hire reporting. Here are the key steps you need to take:

1. Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN): Before registering with the state Department of Revenue, obtain a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. This number is required for federal tax reporting and is used to identify your business when filing employment taxes. You can apply online for free through the IRS website.
2. Register with the Alabama Department of Revenue (ADOR): Once you have your EIN, you must register with the Alabama Department of Revenue to set up state income tax withholding. You can complete the registration online through the My Alabama Taxes (MAT) portal. This portal allows you to manage withholding tax accounts, file returns, and make payments. Once you apply, you’ll receive your Alabama Tax number within three to five days.
3. Register with the Alabama Department of Labor (ADOL): Employers must also register separately with the Alabama Department of Labor to set up an unemployment compensation account. You can complete this process online via the ADOL’s eGov registration system. You’ll be assigned a state unemployment account number used to file quarterly wage reports and remit UC taxes.
4. Report New Hires: Within seven days of hiring a new employee, you must report the hire to the Alabama Department of Labor’s New Hire Reporting Center. This requirement helps enforce child support laws and prevents fraudulent unemployment and workers’ compensation claims.

Calculating payroll taxes

Accurately calculating payroll taxes is essential to avoid costly errors and penalties. Alabama employers have a few reliable options for ensuring correct calculations:

• Check government websites: The Alabama Department of Revenue website provides employer withholding tax tables, instructions, and other helpful resources. These tools can guide you in determining the correct amount to withhold from employee wages based on filing status, allowances, and income levels. For unemployment insurance tax rates, refer to the Alabama Department of Labor’s website, where employers can find current taxable wage bases and experience rating details.
• Payroll software: Some small business software payroll programs have built-in Alabama tax tables that automate calculations, saving you time and minimizing the chance for errors.
• Professional services: If you prefer to outsource payroll, a professional payroll service can handle everything for you.

Whichever method you choose, make sure you stay updated on the current tax rates and wage limits, as these can change every year.

Withholding state payroll taxes

Once you've calculated the correct amounts, you'll need to withhold these taxes from your employees’ wages and remit them to the appropriate authorities. Follow Alabama’s guidelines for withholding and remittance deadlines to stay compliant and avoid penalties.

State Personal Income Tax (Withholding): Alabama requires employers to withhold state income tax from employee wages based on the information provided on Form A-4, the Employee’s Withholding Tax Exemption Certificate. The Alabama Department of Revenue provides updated withholding tax tables to help employers determine how much to withhold. Alabama uses a progressive tax rate structure ranging from 2% to 5%, depending on the employee’s income level and filing status.

• Example: For a single employee earning $5,000 per month and claiming one exemption, the approximate monthly withholding might be $200, depending on the current tax tables.*

Unemployment Insurance (UI): In Alabama, unemployment insurance taxes are paid entirely by the employer and are not withheld from employee wages. The taxable wage base for 2025 was $8,000 per employee annually. Employers are assigned a tax rate based on their experience rating. New employers generally begin with a standard rate of 2.7%, which is reassessed annually.

• Example: If an employer has an assigned UI rate of 2.7%, and an employee earns $5,000 in a month, the employer pays $135 in UI tax for that month (though only the first $8,000 in wages are taxable per year).*

Local Occupational Taxes (if applicable): If your business operates in a city that imposes a local occupational tax, you are also responsible for withholding that local tax from employee wages and remitting it to the appropriate city authority. These taxes are typically a flat percentage of gross wages and vary by municipality.

• Example: If your employee earns $1,000 in gross wages for the pay period in a city like Birmingham, which levies a 1% occupational tax, you would withhold $10 and remit it to the city’s revenue department.*

Employers should verify applicable local tax rates and filing procedures with the respective city office to ensure timely and accurate compliance. Alabama does not have additional state-level payroll taxes, such as disability insurance or paid family leave, simplifying the payroll process relative to more complex states.

By applying these calculations to each paycheck, you ensure accurate withholdings and compliance with state requirements.

Remitting state payroll taxes

In Alabama, if your business withholds income taxes from employee paychecks, you'll need to file withholding tax returns with the state.

Filing payroll tax returns in Alabama

In Alabama, employers must meet monthly, quarterly, and annual payroll tax filing requirements to stay compliant with state and federal regulations. Here's a breakdown of the 2026 requirements:

Quarterly and monthly requirements