How Alabama taxes your paycheck in 2026
Alabama uses a graduated income tax with 3 brackets, from 2% at the bottom to 5% at the top, applied after a $3,000 single-filer deduction/exemption.
Federal deductions are the same everywhere: income tax on your wages after the $16,100 standard deduction (single filers), 6.2% Social Security on the first $184,500 of wages, and 1.45% Medicare on everything. Some Alabama cities (including Birmingham) levy occupational taxes around 1%–2% of wages.
Example take-home pay in Alabama
Single filer, 2026 rates, standard deduction, no pre-tax benefits or local taxes:
| Salary | Federal tax | AL state tax | Take-home / yr | Per biweekly check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $3,820 | $2,310 | $40,045 | $1,540 |
| $75,000 | $7,670 | $3,560 | $58,033 | $2,232 |
| $100,000 | $13,170 | $4,810 | $74,370 | $2,860 |
Frequently asked questions
+How much is taken out of a $75,000 paycheck in Alabama?
For a single filer with no pre-tax deductions in 2026: about $7,670 federal income tax, $5,738 in Social Security and Medicare, and roughly $3,560 in Alabama state income tax — leaving take-home pay of about $58,033 a year, or $2,232 every two weeks.
+What is the Alabama state income tax rate for 2026?
Alabama uses a graduated income tax with 3 brackets, from 2% at the bottom to 5% at the top, applied after a $3,000 single-filer deduction/exemption.
+Why is my actual paycheck different from this estimate?
This calculator assumes the standard deduction, single-filer state parameters, and no dependents, credits or local taxes. Some Alabama cities (including Birmingham) levy occupational taxes around 1%–2% of wages. Employer withholding also follows your W-4, which may over- or under-withhold relative to your final tax bill.
+Do 401(k) contributions reduce state tax too?
In Alabama, traditional 401(k) and most pre-tax benefit contributions reduce your state taxable income as well as federal. They do not reduce Social Security or Medicare tax.
Sources: IRS 2026 federal parameters; state rates and brackets as of January 1, 2026 compiled from state statutes and the Tax Foundation. Estimates only — see our terms.