Most of the information required for your Alabama return transfers from your federal return. The Alabama Basic Information section is used to provide additional information that may affect how your Alabama return is prepared.
Pathway to this entry is:
Alabama State Return > Basic Information
Did You File an Alabama Income Tax Return Last Year?
Indicate whether you filed an Alabama income tax return for the prior tax year.
If you answer No, you may be asked to enter the reason an Alabama return was not filed.
Examples may include:
- You were not required to file.
- You were not an Alabama resident.
- You did not have Alabama-source income.
- Other circumstances that prevented a filing requirement.
Will You Be Using a Credit Card to Pay an Amount Due?
This information helps determine the payment options presented during the filing process.
Are You Filing Federal Form 4684 and Are a Qualified Hurricane Victim?
If you are claiming a casualty loss on Federal Form 4684 related to a qualifying hurricane event, answer this question accordingly.
Additional Alabama adjustments may apply for qualified hurricane victims.
For more detailed information, please see our KB article here.
Income Reported on Your Federal Return but Not Reported on Your Alabama Return
Use this section to identify income reported on the federal return that is not taxable by Alabama.
Examples may include:
- Income specifically exempt from Alabama taxation.
- Income allocated to another state.
- Other income not subject to Alabama income tax.
Enter the applicable income and supporting details as requested.
For more detailed information, please see our KB article here.
Federal Dependents Not Eligible to Be Claimed on the Alabama Return
Use this section if a dependent claimed on your federal return does not qualify as a dependent for Alabama purposes.
Enter the requested dependent information so the Alabama return can be calculated correctly.
For more detailed information, please see our KB article here.
Dependents Not Claimed on the Federal Return
Use this section if you have a dependent who qualifies for Alabama purposes but was not claimed on the federal return.
Enter the dependent information exactly as requested by the program.
For more detailed information, please see our KB article here.
Change Filing Status from MFJ to MFS for State Purposes Only
Alabama allows certain taxpayers to file a joint federal return while filing separate Alabama returns.
Use this section if:
- Your federal filing status is Married Filing Jointly (MFJ), and
- You wish to file Married Filing Separately (MFS) for Alabama purposes.
The program will ask you to allocate income, deductions, withholding, and other tax items between spouses.
How Does This Affect My Return?
Changing from MFJ to MFS for Alabama purposes may:
- Increase or decrease Alabama tax liability.
- Change credit eligibility.
- Change deductions available on the Alabama return.
- Affect the refund or balance due.
For more detailed information, please see our KB article here.
Married Filing Separate on the Alabama Return - Standard or Itemized Deductions
If filing Married Filing Separately, Alabama requires special handling of deductions.
Use this section to indicate whether the taxpayer will use:
- The Standard Deduction, or
- Itemized Deductions
The deduction choice may affect both spouses' Alabama returns.
For more detailed information, please see our KB article here.
How Does the Basic Information Section Affect My Return?
Information entered in this section may:
- Determine Alabama filing status.
- Affect dependent claims.
- Identify income taxable by Alabama.
- Impact deductions, credits, and exemptions.
- Change the refund or balance due.
Important Information
- Most personal information transfers automatically from the federal return.
- Review all Alabama-specific questions carefully before continuing.
- Taxpayers filing separate Alabama returns after filing a joint federal return may need to allocate income and deductions between spouses.
- Changes made in the Basic Information section can affect multiple areas of the Alabama return.
- Keep documentation supporting any Alabama-specific adjustments with your tax records.
Additional Information
Complete all applicable entries in the Basic Information section before proceeding to other parts of the Alabama return. Providing accurate information in this section helps ensure that Alabama income, deductions, credits, and filing status are calculated correctly.