Payroll Alabama, Unique Aspects of Alabama Payroll Law and Practice

The Alabama State Agency that oversees theThe information can be sent as a W4 or
collection and reporting of State income taxesequivalent by mail, fax or electronically.
deducted from payroll checks is:There is a $25.00 penalty for a late report in
Department of RevenueAlabama.
Income Tax DivisionThe Alabama new hire-reporting agency can be
Withholding Tax Sectionreached at 334-353-8491 or on the web at
50 North Ripley St.Alabama does allow compulsory direct deposit but
P.O. Box 327480the employee's choice of financial institution must
Montgomery, Alabama 36132-7480meet federal Regulation E regarding choice of
334-242-1300financial institutions.
Alabama requires that you use Alabama formAlabama has no State Wage and Hour Law
"A-4, Employee's Withholding Exemptionprovisions concerning pay stub information.
Certificate" instead of a Federal W-4 Form forIn Alabama there are no statutory requirements
Alabama State Income Tax Withholding.concerning pay frequency or the lag between
Not all states allow salary reductions made underwhen the lag time between when the services
Section 125 cafeteria plans or 401(k) to beare performed and when the employee must be
treated in the same manner as the IRS codepaid.
allows. In Alabama cafeteria plans: are not taxableNor for that matter does Alabama have legal
for income tax calculation; are taxable forprovisions concerning when a terminated
unemployment insurance purposes. 401(k) planemployee, voluntary or involuntary, must be paid.
deferrals are: not taxable for income taxes; areDeceased employee's wages must be paid when
not taxable for unemployment purposes.normally due to the surviving spouse or custodian
In Alabama supplemental wages are taxed at aof minor children.
5% flat rate.Escheat laws in Alabama require that unclaimed
You may file your Alabama State W-2s bywages be paid over to the state after one year.
magnetic media if you choose to.There is no provision in Alabama law concerning
The Alabama State Unemployment Insurancerecord retention of abandoned wage records.
Agency is:There is no provision in Alabama law concerning
The Department of Industrial Relationstip credits against State minimum wage.
649 Monroe StreetIn Alabama the payroll laws covering mandatory
Montgomery, Alabama 36131rest or meal breaks are only that: minors under
334-242-899016 must have 30 minutes rest after five hours of
The State of Alabama taxable wage base forwork.
unemployment purposes is wages up to $8000.00.There is no provision in Alabama law concerning
Alabama requires Magnetic media reporting ofrecord retention of wage and hour records
quarterly wage reporting if the employer has attherefor it is probably wise to follow FLSA
least 250 employees that they are reporting thatguidelines.
quarter.The Alabama agency charged with enforcing Child
Unemployment records must be retained inSupport Orders and laws is:
Alabama for a minimum period of five years. ThisAlabama Department of Human Resources
information generally includes: name; social securityChild Support Enforcement Division
number; dates of hire, rehire and termination;50 Ripley St.
wages by period; payroll pay periods and payMontgomery, AL 36130-1801
dates; date and circumstances of termination.334-242-9300
The Alabama State Agency charged withAlabama has the following provisions for child
enforcing the state wage and hour laws is:support deductions:
The Department of Industrial Relations- When to start Withholding? Immediately after
649 Monroe Streetreceipt of order.
Montgomery, Alabama 36131- When to send Payment? Within 7 days of
334-242-8990Payday.
There is no provision for minimum wage in the- When to send Termination Notice? "Promptly"
State of Alabama.- Maximum Administrative Fee? $2 per month.
There is also no general provision in Alabama- Withholding Limits? Federal Rules under CCPA.
State Law covering paying overtime in aPlease note that this article is not updated for
non-FLSA covered employer.changes that can and will happen from time to
Alabama State new hire reporting requirementstime.
are that every employer must report every newCharles J. Read, CPA has been in the payroll,
hire, rehire and recall. The employer must reportaccounting and tax business for 30 years, the last
the federally required elements of:fifteen in private practice.
- Employee's nameMr. Read is the author of "How to Start a New
- Employee's addressBusiness."
- Employee's social security numberTo find professional payroll service at a budget
- Employer's nameprice go to a paperless payroll company.
- Employers addressFor a full service payroll bureau with CPA's on
- Employer's Federal Employer Identificationstaff visit .
Number (EIN)See an excerpt of Mr. Read's interviews from
This information must be reported within 7 daysWilliam Shatners "Heartbeat of America" television
of the hiring or rehiring.show on the web sites linked above.