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View All Withholding Tax FAQs

Are any employees exempt from withholding tax?

Yes, the chief classes of exempt employment are domestic services in private homes, merchant seamen, duly ordained ministers performing duties of their ministry, and agricultural employees. Although these wages are exempt from withholding tax requirements, the wages do represent taxable income and should be reported by the employee on their individual income tax return. Employers should provide both the employee and the Department with a copy of Form W2 reflecting the wages earned by the employee for that year. For more information on these classes of exemption, please see page 2 of the Withholding Tax Tables and Instructions for Employers.

Yes, the chief classes of exempt employment are domestic services in private homes, merchant seamen, duly ordained ministers performing duties of their ministry, and agricultural employees. Although these wages are exempt from withholding tax requirements, the wages do represent taxable income and should be reported by the employee on their individual income tax return. Employers should provide both the employee and the Department with a copy of Form W2 reflecting the wages earned by the employee for that year. For more information on these classes of exemption, please see page 2 of the Withholding Tax Tables and Instructions for Employers.

Related FAQs in Withholding Tax

Please view your account online through My Alabama Taxes (MAT) to verify receipt of payment. Since checks take longer to process the Department encourages employers to electronically file and pay. Payments of $750 or more are required to be filed and paid electronically.

Contact the Withholding Tax Section at (334) 242-1300 or your local Taxpayer Service Center. Please include the following information: employer’s name, address, phone number and number of employees.

If your federal identification number changes, you will need to apply for a new state withholding tax account number by filing the Combined Registration/Application available online.

The State of Alabama recognizes the following Federal Code Sections: Section 125 Cafeteria Plan, Section 401K, and Section 403B. For information on other exclusion from gross income, please see page 2 of the Withholding Tax Tables and Instructions for Employers.

Severance pay exemption of up to $50,000 is available upon approval from ALDOR. Please visit the Severance Pay Exemption page. Employees will not receive this exemption unless the employer applies for the exemption and is approved by ALDOR.

Accountants and tax filing services who file withholding tax returns and payments on behalf of employers must register with the ADOR as a bulk filer and must utilize their bulk filer registration when filing withholding tax returns on behalf of their clients. View more information concerning Bulk Filing.