Alabama Payroll Tax Registration

Dec 8, 2025

If you are an employer in Alabama who has recently hired an employee, you will need to register for payroll taxes with the Alabama Department of Revenue. This registration process ensures that you are compliant with state tax laws and able to properly withhold and remit taxes on behalf of your employees.

Zero payroll penalties, zero distractions.

How Alabama Payroll Registration Works

There are 3 payroll tax setup tasks you may need to complete in Alabama to get your new hire on payroll for the first time. You can follow the guide below to help you get registered directly with the Alabama agencies or use Mosey to do it.

Alabama Unemployment Compensation Setup for PLLC, Professional Corporation, LLP, LLC, Corporation

During the current or preceding calendar year, if you have: (a) At least one employee on some day in 20 different weeks, whether or not consecutive, or (b) Paid wages of $1,500 or more in any calendar quarter, you must register with the Department of Labor for an Unemployment Tax account.

  1. Register for an eGov Account

    Visit the Department of Labor eGov login page to register for an eGov Account in order to access employer online services.

  2. Register for an Unemployment Tax Account

    Log in to your eGov account and submit an online Application for Liability (Form SR-2) to register for an Unemployment Tax Account.

  3. Add Unemployment Tax to your Payroll Provider

    Once you have your EAN and Unemployment Compensation tax rate, add them to your payroll provider.

Alabama Withholding Tax Setup for PLLC, Professional Corporation, LLP, LLC, Corporation

If you have Alabama employees, you must register for a withholding tax account with the Department of Revenue.

  1. Register Your Business

    Visit MAT and select “Register a business/Obtain a new tax account number” to set up an Alabama tax account.

  2. Add Withholding Information to Your Payroll Provider

    Add your account number and withholding schedule to your payroll provider when you receive them.

Alabama Unemployment Compensation Setup for Professional Corporation, Corporation

Employers must register with the Department of Labor for an Unemployment Tax account.

  1. Register for an eGov Account

    Visit the Department of Labor eGov login page to register for an eGov Account in order to access employer online services.

  2. Register for an Unemployment Tax Account

    Log in to your eGov account and submit an online Application for Liability (Form SR-2) to register for an Unemployment Tax Account.

  3. Add Unemployment Tax Information to your Payroll Provider

    Once you have your Employer Account Number and Unemployment Compensation tax rate, add them to your payroll provider.

Alabama's Payroll Registration Agencies

More from the blog

Learn how to keep your business compliant in all 50 states across payroll, HR, Secretary of State, and tax.

Employee vs. Contractor: Understanding the Difference

Contractor work arrangements are popular. According to the US Government Accountability Office, about one-third of all businesses and almost 90% of Fortune 500 companies use independent contractors in some capacity. Hiring contractors can be a particularly attractive option for early-stage businesses because it allows them to leverage specialized skill sets while building their internal teams. But contractors are very different from employees, and the two mustn’t be conflated—or hefty penalties can apply. While contractors are self-employed individuals or even incorporated business entities, employees are typically economically dependent on their employers and so are entitled to certain rights and protections under the law. For this reason, misclassifying an employee as an independent contractor is a compliance violation: It denies a worker rights to which they are otherwise entitled.

Gabrielle Sinacola | Aug 8, 2023

Salary Requirements for Exempt Employees: State Laws vs. Federal

When it comes to managing employees, one key decision employers must make is whether their workers are classified as exempt or non-exempt. This employee classification determines whether they’re eligible for overtime pay. The difference boils down to salary and job duties, but it’s not always as simple as it sounds — especially when dealing with both federal and state laws. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) lays the groundwork for salary thresholds across the U.S., but states can impose their own rules. Some states have higher salary requirements than the federal government, and that’s where things get tricky for employers.

Alex Kehayias | Oct 8, 2024

What is an LLC Annual Report? What's Included & How to File

The limited liability company (LLC) entity type provides many advantages—like reducing the owners’ personal liability, and providing flexibility in tax classification and management structure. Once you’ve established LLC status, you’ll need to comply with ongoing LLC compliance requirements to maintain LLC protections and avoid any penalties against your business. In most states, this includes filing an LLC annual report. What is an LLC annual report? An LLC annual report is a brief overview of key facts about a limited liability company (LLC). It typically includes business contact information, contact information for owners (called “members” of the LLC), and a record of any major activities (such as change in ownership, business purpose, or location) during a given reporting period.

Gabrielle Sinacola | Jun 30, 2023

Ready to get started?

Schedule a free consultation to see how Mosey transforms business compliance.