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  • Does Alabama provide for a federal income tax deduction?
View All Corporate Income Tax FAQs

Does Alabama provide for a federal income tax deduction?

Yes. Federal income tax may be deducted for the taxable year in which paid or accrued, according to the method of accounting used in computing taxable income. The federal income tax allowable as a deduction is the net tax liability as accrued and subsequently paid, that is, the amount after subtracting all deductible and/or refundable credits.

When computing the federal income tax deduction for any taxable year for members of an affiliated group filing a consolidated federal income tax return, the consolidated FIT liability must be apportioned only among the members of the group that individually report positive federal taxable income. Each member is apportioned a share of the consolidated FIT based on a fraction, the numerator of which is the member’s positive federal taxable income and the denominator of which is the sum total federal taxable income of all members separately reporting positive federal taxable income (without regard to any election under 26 U.S.C. §1502) for its consolidated federal return.

Corporations which do business in Alabama are allowed to deduct federal income taxes attributable to their Alabama income (Code of Alabama, 1975, §40-18-35(a)(2), and Rule 810-3-35-.01(1)(b).

Yes. Federal income tax may be deducted for the taxable year in which paid or accrued, according to the method of accounting used in computing taxable income. The federal income tax allowable as a deduction is the net tax liability as accrued and subsequently paid, that is, the amount after subtracting all deductible and/or refundable credits.

When computing the federal income tax deduction for any taxable year for members of an affiliated group filing a consolidated federal income tax return, the consolidated FIT liability must be apportioned only among the members of the group that individually report positive federal taxable income. Each member is apportioned a share of the consolidated FIT based on a fraction, the numerator of which is the member’s positive federal taxable income and the denominator of which is the sum total federal taxable income of all members separately reporting positive federal taxable income (without regard to any election under 26 U.S.C. §1502) for its consolidated federal return.

Corporations which do business in Alabama are allowed to deduct federal income taxes attributable to their Alabama income (Code of Alabama, 1975, §40-18-35(a)(2), and Rule 810-3-35-.01(1)(b).

Related FAQs in Corporate Income Tax

Yes. If the company has registered or qualified to do business in the state, a Form 20C is required to report no activity and/or business activity as provided by Sections 40-18-2 and 40-18-31, Code of Alabama 1975.

Yes. If an extension has been granted for federal purposes, the extension is also granted for Alabama purposes; the Federal Form 7004 must be submitted with the Form 20C.

NOTE: This is an extension for filing purposes ONLY. The full amount of the tax liability is due by the original due date of the return.

Yes. Alabama Code §40-2A-7(c)(2) states, “A petition for refund shall be filed with the department or an automatic refund issued pursuant to Section 40-29-71, or a credit allowed, within (i) three years from the date that the return was filed, or (ii) two years from the date of payment of the tax, whichever is later, or, if no return was timely filed, two years from the date of payment of the tax.”

The corporation should file an Alabama income tax return just as any other corporation. If the income is business income, then the corporation’s pro rata share of the partnerships property, payroll, and sales should be included in the apportionment factor. If the income is nonbusiness, then the income should be allocated to Alabama and/or the appropriate states. See Alabama Rule 810-27-1-.02 Application of Apportionment and Allocation.

Organizations referred to in 26 U.S.C. § 501(a) as well as several others organizations referenced in 40-18-32 will not be required to file corporation income tax returns with the Alabama Department of Revenue for as long as they retain their exempt status under applicable federal and state laws. If they have unrelated business income as determined in accordance with 26 U.S.C. § 512, then the organization should file Form 20C with a copy of Federal Form 990T.

To report changes made by the IRS, a corporation must file an amended Form 20C for the specific tax period. The following information MUST be included with the amended return (see Regulation 810-3-40-.01(4)):

If the corporation files as a separate entity:

  • A complete copy of the revenue agent’s report (RAR) provided by the IRS to include, but not limited to, Form 4549-A, 4549-B and Form 870,
  • A copy of the Form 20C as originally filed, and
  • Federal Form 1120 as originally filed and/or amended.
  • If the corporation is part of a consolidated group, the following information is required along with the above information:
  • A listing of the IRS adjustments made to each company in the consolidated group,
  • A copy of the Federal Form 851, Affiliations Schedule,
  • A copy of the income statement spread for every company, and
  • A copy of the consolidated Federal 1120 as originally filed and/or amended.

If the IRS audit results in a refund, the request for refund must be made within one year from the date of final determination of the IRS audit. If the audit results in additional tax due, the department can assess the additional tax within one year after the department has been notified.