Tip: Start from the federal W-4 calculator to pre-fill your pay and federal results here automatically.
Your Paycheck
Filing Status
Credits & Adjustments (Optional)
Leave blank if you're not sure — these only affect your federal withholding.
$2,200 per child under 17 · $500 per other dependent. Reduces your withholding.
Add extra to cover side income, freelance, or investment income each paycheck.
Non-wage income: freelance, dividends, rental income. Annual total.
If you itemize and deductions exceed the standard deduction. Annual total.
File your Alabama return
Total withholding per paycheck
$322
$8,374 / year
Gross pay minus federal, FICA, and state taxes
Federal
Alabama State Tax
Alabama withholding subtracts your federal income tax withheld, so it depends on your federal W-4.
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Alabama uses its own form: the A-4
Alabama requires every employee to give their employer a signed Form A-4, the Employee's Withholding Tax Exemption Certificate. The federal W-4 cannot be substituted. You choose a code: 0 for no personal exemption (the highest withholding), S for a single $1,500 exemption, MS for married filing separately, M for a $3,000 exemption covering you and your spouse, or H for head of family. You then add the number of dependents you support and any extra amount to withhold. If you do not file an A-4, your employer must withhold using zero exemptions.
Inflating the exemptions you claim carries a $500 penalty.
How Alabama calculates withholding
Under the Department of Revenue's formula, the employer annualizes your pay and subtracts a standard deduction that is largest at low incomes, your annual federal income tax withheld, your personal exemption ($1,500 or $3,000) and a dependent exemption ($1,000, $500 or $300 per dependent depending on income). The rest is taxed at 2% on the first $500, 4% on the next $2,500 and 5% above $3,000 (for M, 2% on the first $1,000, 4% on the next $5,000 and 5% above $6,000).
Because federal withholding is deducted, a higher federal W-4 withholding lowers your Alabama withholding. For example, a single (S) employee earning $60,000 with $6,000 of federal tax withheld has about $2,485 of Alabama tax withheld over the year.
Alabama W-4 FAQ
What are Alabama's income tax rates?+
2% on the first $500 of taxable income, 4% on the next $2,500 and 5% above $3,000 for single filers. Married filers (code M) have wider bands: 2%, 4% and 5% at $1,000 and $6,000.
Does Alabama use the federal W-4?+
No. The federal W-4 cannot be substituted for the A-4.
What code should I use on the A-4?+
S if you are single, MS if you are married but filing separately, M if you are married and claiming both personal exemptions, H if you are single and claiming head of family, and 0 if you want the highest withholding.
Why does my federal W-4 affect Alabama withholding?+
Alabama's formula subtracts your actual federal income tax withheld before applying its rates.
What happens if I do not file an A-4?+
The employer must withhold using zero exemptions.
Start with your federal W-4
Your Alabama withholding follows your pay, but your W-4 is federal. Get the exact lines to fill in.
Open the W-4 Calculator →