How do I claim the Volunteer Emergency Responders Tax Credit on my Alabama tax return?
The Volunteer Emergency Responders Tax Credit must be pre-certified through My Alabama Taxes prior to filing your tax return. The credit claim MUST be submitted in the name of the individual listed on the certificate, even when filing a joint tax return. A My Alabama Taxes account is not required to complete the pre-certification process. An email notification will be sent when your credit request is approved. Once approved, the credit should be reported on your income tax return.
Prerequisites for filing an online Volunteer Emergency Responders Tax Credit through My Alabama Taxes:
- Completed Volunteer Emergency Responders Tax Credit Certificate.
- Emergency Responders qualifying for more than one credit must submit separate certificates for each credit request.
- When signing the certificate as both the emergency responder and the certifying supervisor, documentation to confirm your role as certifying supervisor should be included.
How do I pre-certify my credit if I do not have a My Alabama Taxes account?
- Visit https://myalabamataxes.alabama.gov/tap/_/
- Navigate to the bottom of the page and click ‘Submit an Individual Credit Claim,’ under Individuals.
- Enter the information for the individual listed on the certificate (even when filing a joint tax return) and select ‘Next.’
- Enter the credit information and select ‘Next.’
- Credit Type: Select Volunteer Emergency Responders Tax Credit from the drop-down menu.
- Filing Period: Enter the year in which you are eligible for the credit. For example, if all requirements of the credit were met in 2024 and you wish to claim the credit on your 2024 tax return, the filing period would be 12/31/2024.Credit Amount Requested: Enter the credit amount from your certificate.
- Attachments: Attach a copy of your credit certificate.
- Review your credit claim information and click ‘Submit’
How do I pre-certify my credit by logging into my My Alabama Taxes account?
- Visit https://myalabamataxes.alabama.gov/tap/_/ and enter your credentials to login.
- Navigate to Individual Income Tax under Accounts and select ‘Submit a credit claim’.
- Enter the credit information and select ‘Next.’
- Credit Type: Select Volunteer Emergency Responders Tax Credit from the drop-down menu.
- Filing Period: Enter the year in which you are eligible to claim the credit. For example, if all requirements of the credit were met in 2024 and you wish to claim the credit on your 2024 tax return, the filing period would be 12/31/2024.Credit Amount Requested: Enter the credit amount from your certificate.
- Attachments: Attach a copy of your credit certificate.
- Review your credit claim information and click ‘Submit.’
What to expect after I submit the credit claim?
- Credit claims are reviewed by the department in the order received. Processing times may vary depending on the volume of requests.
- Incomplete or insufficient documentation may delay credit approval or result in the denial of your credit request.
- The department will review your credit claim and may contact you via the email or phone number provided with your credit request if there are any questions.
- For additional inquiries, please contact incentives@revenue.alabama.gov or call 334-353-9789.