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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

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 $25,000.00 is available upon approval from the Department. Please visit the Severance Pay Exemption page. Employees will not receive this exemption unless the Employer applies for the exemption and is approved by ADOR.

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.

Employers and filing agents who submit 10 or more Form W-2s (and/or Form 1099s with Alabama tax withheld) or who have filed and paid electronically during the year must electronically file this information and the Form A-3 online through My Alabama Taxes on or before January 31 of the following year.

One penalty is for the late filing of the withholding tax return and the other penalty is for late payment of the withholding tax. Please see the billing code explanation enclosed with your letter.