How do I register for Alabama payroll taxes?

Registering for Alabama Payroll Tax Account Numbers

Alabama requires employers to register with the Department of Revenue and Department of Labor.

Department of Revenue Withholding Account Number

• Register online
• Formats: (R999999999, 999999, 99999999, 99999999 9, 9999999, 9999999999) 
• To find an existing account number, call: (334) 242-1584

Department of Labor Account Number

• Register online
• Format: 10 digits (9999999999)
• To find an existing account number, call: (334) 954-4730

Alabama Payroll Taxes

Payroll Tax Rates

The Department of Labor will assign your unemployment insurance tax rate. New employers generally have an initial rate of 2.7%. There is a fixed Employment Security Assessment rate of 0.06% for all employers.

Payroll Tax Deposit Schedules

All unemployment taxes are deposited quarterly.

The Department of Revenue will assign your withholding deposit schedule. If you have accumulated:

• over $1,000 in withholding in the first or second month of the quarter, you’ll deposit on a monthly schedule
• $1,000 or less in withholding, you’ll deposit on a quarterly schedule