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  • Can a corporation elect to file a consolidated Alabama corporate income tax return?
View All Corporate Income Tax FAQs

Can a corporation elect to file a consolidated Alabama corporate income tax return?

For tax periods beginning before January 1, 1999 – No. Alabama’s income tax laws and rules specifically required each corporation to file a separate return with the department (§40-18-39(a) and Rules 810-3-39-.01).

For tax period beginning after December 31, 1998 – Yes. Alabama’s Tax Conformity Act (Act 98-502) allows an Alabama “affiliated group” to elect to file a consolidated Alabama tax return, provided the “group” files a consolidated federal return for the same taxable year. An “Alabama affiliated group” means a group of corporations that constitute an affiliated group as defined in 26 U.S.C. §1504, one or more members of which are subject to tax under §40-18-31.

For tax periods beginning after December 31, 2001 – Yes. Act 2001-1089(HB4) revised the Consolidated filing requirements in Alabama Code Section 40-18-39 for tax periods beginning after December 31, 2001. Alabama consolidated returns can only include Alabama “nexus” companies.

Each corporation included in the Alabama consolidated return must compute their Alabama taxable income on a separate company basis. Then, the taxable income of the Alabama group is combined to determine the tax due.

The consolidated filing fee is a maximum of $25,000 due by the extended due date of the return. To make the election, the Alabama Form 20C-CRE must be filed by the due date of the return, including extensions, for the first taxable year for which the election is applicable. The consolidated election is binding for 120 consecutive months (10 years).

For tax periods beginning before January 1, 1999 – No. Alabama’s income tax laws and rules specifically required each corporation to file a separate return with the department (§40-18-39(a) and Rules 810-3-39-.01).

For tax period beginning after December 31, 1998 – Yes. Alabama’s Tax Conformity Act (Act 98-502) allows an Alabama “affiliated group” to elect to file a consolidated Alabama tax return, provided the “group” files a consolidated federal return for the same taxable year. An “Alabama affiliated group” means a group of corporations that constitute an affiliated group as defined in 26 U.S.C. §1504, one or more members of which are subject to tax under §40-18-31.

For tax periods beginning after December 31, 2001 – Yes. Act 2001-1089(HB4) revised the Consolidated filing requirements in Alabama Code Section 40-18-39 for tax periods beginning after December 31, 2001. Alabama consolidated returns can only include Alabama “nexus” companies.

Each corporation included in the Alabama consolidated return must compute their Alabama taxable income on a separate company basis. Then, the taxable income of the Alabama group is combined to determine the tax due.

The consolidated filing fee is a maximum of $25,000 due by the extended due date of the return. To make the election, the Alabama Form 20C-CRE must be filed by the due date of the return, including extensions, for the first taxable year for which the election is applicable. The consolidated election is binding for 120 consecutive months (10 years).

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.