Payroll Taxes - What Wages Are Subject to Alabama Withholding?

The Heart of Dixie state is one of many U.S statesthat meet the specific requirements of and regulations
which impose individual income tax. State withholdingof section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code. It
tax is the money an employer is required to withholdprovides participants an opportunity to receive certain
from each employee's wages to pay the state incomebenefits on a pre-tax basis.
tax of the employee. The employer pays no part of2. Retirement Savings (code 219) Plans.
the tax, but is responsible for collecting and remitting3. 401K Plans: Cash or Deferred Arrangement. A
the tax withheld.401(k) plan allows a worker to save for retirement and
In general all wages earned in Alabama are subject tohave the savings invested while deferring income
income tax withholding. However, there are certaintaxes on the saved money and earnings until
types of employment that are exempt from payrollwithdrawal.
withholding such as merchant seaman, agricultural and4. 403(b) Plans: Qualified Annuity Plan (Teacher's
domestic employees, and duly ordained ministers. BothRetirement). A 403(b) plan is a retirement plan offered
wages earned by a resident or a non-resident whileby public schools and certain tax-exempt organizations.
working in Alabama are subject to AlabamaBasically, 403(b) plans are similar to 401(k) plans. Just
withholding tax.as with a 401(k) plan, a 403(b) plan lets employees
Wages (for Alabama withholding tax purposes) shalldefer some of their salary. In this case, their deferred
include those wages exempt from federal withholdingmoney goes to a 403(b) plan sponsored by the
if the wages represent taxable income under theemployer. This deferred money generally does not get
Alabama income tax law and there is no provisiontaxed by the federal government or by most state
under the Alabama law for a deduction correspondinggovernments until distributed.
to the allowable federal deduction.5. 408(k) Plans: Simplified Employee Pension: A simpler
The following federal code sections are recognized byalternative to a 401(k) plan available only to companies
the State of Alabama and should not be included in anwith 25 or fewer employees.
employee's wages and are not subject to withholding6. 408(p) Simple Plans: Savings Incentive Match Plan
tax.(IRA).
1. Cafeteria Plans: A cafeteria plan is a separate7.
written plan maintained by an employer for employees