Mail your Alabama tax return to the Department of Revenue in Montgomery, not to a federal office
Alabama has its own state income tax, separate from federal tax. Your state return and any payment go to the Alabama Department of Revenue, located in Montgomery. The mailing address depends on whether you are sending a check or making a payment by another method, and whether you are filing an individual return or a business return.
The Department of Revenue processes returns at a single location. Mail takes five to seven business days to arrive, so if your return is due on a specific date, send it at least a week early. Returns postmarked by the important date are considered on time, but the postmark date is what counts — not the date the Department receives it.
Key Takeaways
- Individual Alabama tax returns with payment go to a specific P.O. Box in Montgomery, not to a street address.
- The mailing address is different if you are sending a check versus if you are paying by electronic transfer or credit card.
- Mail takes five to seven business days, so send your return at least one week before the important date to be safe.
- The postmark date is what matters for on-time filing, not the date the Department receives your return.
- Business returns and certain other filings have different addresses; check the form instructions or the Department website for your specific return type.
Individual income tax returns with a check payment
If you are filing Form 40 (Alabama Individual Income Tax Return) and enclosing a check, mail to:
Alabama Department of Revenue P.O. Box 327 Montgomery, AL 36104
Write your Social Security number and daytime phone number on the check itself. Do not staple the check to the return — paper-clip it or tape it to the top of the first page. The Department's scanning equipment reads checks separately, and a staple can jam the machines and delay processing.
Include all pages of the return, any schedules you need to file, and documentation for deductions or credits you are claiming. Keep a copy for your records before you mail.
Individual returns without a payment or with a refund expected
If you are filing Form 40 but do not owe money — either because you have no payment due or because you expect a refund — use the same P.O. Box address:
Alabama Department of Revenue P.O. Box 327 Montgomery, AL 36104
You do not need to include a check. Include all required schedules and supporting documents. If you are claiming a refund, the Department will mail it to the address on your return, or deposit it directly to your bank account if you provided banking information on the form.
Business returns and other filing types
Business income tax returns, corporate returns, and certain other filings may have different mailing addresses. Check the instructions that came with your specific form, or visit the Alabama Department of Revenue website to confirm the correct address for your return type before you mail.
Some business returns require filing at a different location or through a different process. The form instructions will specify whether to use the P.O. Box or a street address, and whether additional documentation is required.
Payment by methods other than check
If you are paying by electronic transfer, credit card, or debit card, do not mail a check. Instead, you will make the payment through the Department's online system or by phone, and then mail only the return itself (without payment) to the P.O. Box address. The payment and the return are processed separately, so the Department needs to know which return the payment belongs to — include your Social Security number clearly on the return form.
Electronic payments are processed faster than mailed checks and reduce the risk of the payment being lost in the mail. The Department accepts payments through its website and by phone during business hours.
What happens after you mail your return
Once the Department receives your return, it scans the documents and enters the information into its system. Processing time varies depending on the volume of returns received and whether the Department needs to contact you for more information. straightforward returns with no issues typically process within four to six weeks. Returns with missing information or discrepancies take longer.
If you are owed a refund, the Department will mail it to you or deposit it to your bank account, depending on what you selected on the form. If you owe additional tax, the Department will send you a bill. Keep your copy of the return and any supporting documents for at least three years in case the Department has questions.
Tracking and confirming receipt
The Alabama Department of Revenue does not send a receipt when it receives your mailed return. If you want proof that your return arrived, send it by certified mail with return receipt requested. This costs a few dollars extra but gives you a signed confirmation that someone at the Department accepted the envelope.
You can contact the Department by phone to ask whether your return has been received and processed. Have your Social Security number and the tax year ready when you call. The Department's phone line can have long wait times during tax season, so call early in the morning or later in the afternoon if possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I mail my return to the wrong address?
If you mail to a federal address or the wrong state office, the return will be forwarded or returned to you, which delays processing. Always use the Alabama Department of Revenue P.O. Box in Montgomery. If you realize you mailed to the wrong place, contact the Department when ready with your return information so they can locate it.
Can I mail my return and payment to different places?
No. If you are paying by check, the check and return go to the same P.O. Box. If you are paying electronically, you make the payment separately through the Department's online system and mail only the return. Do not split them between different addresses.
How do I know if my return was received?
Send by certified mail if you need proof of receipt. Otherwise, wait four to six weeks and then call the Department to ask whether your return has been processed. Have your Social Security number ready.
What if I miss the postmark important date?
Returns postmarked after the important date are considered late, and you may owe penalties and interest on any tax owed. If you realize you will miss the important date, consider filing electronically instead, which is faster and reduces the risk of delay.
Do I need to include a cover letter with my return?
No cover letter is required. Include only the completed return form, all required schedules, any supporting documents for deductions or credits, and your check if you are paying by mail. A cover letter can actually slow processing because the Department has to separate it from the return.