Taxes in Birmingham, Alabama
Complete tax guide for Birmingham, AL. State income tax up to 5%, 0.44% property tax, 10% sales tax. Calculate your total tax burden.
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Taxes in Birmingham, AL: income, FICA, property, and sales tax
For wage-income planning, this page estimates federal income tax, Alabama state income tax, Birmingham local income tax, and FICA. It also shows property-tax and sales-tax estimates because local household tax burden depends on address-level property assessments, sales-tax districts, exemptions, and item categories.
State Income Tax
5%
Alabama
Property Tax
0.44%
Effective rate
Sales Tax
10%
Combined rate
Tax Burden
Very Low
Birmingham, AL Tax Overview
Birmingham levies a 1% occupational tax on wages earned in the city
Population
197,575
Median Income
$35,346
Cost of Living
87.5 (100 = avg)
State Income Tax
5%
Local Income Tax
1%
Median Home Price
$115,000
Birmingham Tax Calculator
Pre-filled with Birmingham median: $35,346
Total Tax Burden in Birmingham
$6,886
Take-Home: $28,460 · Effective Rate: 19.48%
Federal Tax
$2,062
5.83% eff.
AL State + Local
$2,121
6.00% eff.
FICA
$2,704
7.65% eff.
Take-Home
$28,460
80.52% kept
Tax Breakdown
| Item | Annual | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Income | $35,346.00 | $2,945.50 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$2,061.52 | -$171.79 |
| Alabama State Tax | -$1,767.30 | -$147.28 |
| Birmingham Local Tax (1%) | -$353.46 | -$29.46 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$2,191.45 | -$182.62 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$512.52 | -$42.71 |
| Take-Home Pay | $28,459.75 | $2,371.65 |
Property Tax in Birmingham
Median Home
$115,000
Annual Tax
$506
Monthly Tax
$42
Effective Rate
0.44%
Sales Tax in Birmingham
Combined Rate
10%
State Portion
~7.5%
Local Portion
~2.5%
The combined sales tax rate in Birmingham is 10%, which is above the national average of 7.12%. On a $100 purchase, you would pay $10.00 in sales tax.
Sales and use tax can vary by exact address, district, item category, exemptions, and effective date. Treat this city rate as a planning estimate and verify large purchases with the official state sales-tax lookup or local tax authority.
Tax Burden Comparison
| Tax Type | Birmingham | Alabama Avg | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income Tax | 5% + 1% | 5% | 4.6% |
| Property Tax | 0.44% | ~0.44% | 1.1% |
| Sales Tax | 10% | ~10% | 7.12% |
| Overall Burden | Very Low | — | Moderate |
About Taxes in Birmingham
Birmingham has a population of approximately 197,575 residents with a median household income of $35,346. The cost of living index is 87.5 (12.5% lower than the national average of 100).
Local context: Birmingham levies a 1% occupational tax on wages earned in the city
Tax burden classification: Very Low. Effective combined tax rate of 23.9% includes federal, state, FICA, property, and sales taxes for a typical Birmingham household.
Official Tax Resources for Alabama
For authoritative Alabama tax forms, filing deadlines, and the latest legislative updates, consult these official government resources:
- Alabama Department of Revenue — official state revenue agency
- Alabama Individual Income Tax Forms — current tax year forms and instructions
- Alabama Property Tax Information — assessment, exemptions, and appeals
- IRS Federal Tax Forms and Instructions — federal income tax filing
Tax Saving Tips for Birmingham Residents
- Alabama's income tax rate of 5% is competitive. You may still benefit from maximizing 401(k) contributions ($24,500 limit) to reduce your taxable income at both state and federal levels.
- Birmingham has a local income tax of 1%. If you work remotely, verify whether you owe city tax based on where you work or where you live. Some cities only tax people who work within city limits.
- Property tax in Birmingham (0.44%) is below the national average of 1.1%. This makes homeownership more affordable here relative to property tax burden.
- The combined sales tax rate of 10% is relatively high. Consider making large purchases in lower-tax jurisdictions or online retailers that do not charge local tax rates.
- Use a Health Savings Account (HSA) if eligible. Contributions are tax-deductible ($4,400 individual, $8,750 family), growth is tax-free, and withdrawals for medical expenses are tax-free.
Find Your Local Tax Authority in Birmingham
The 0.44% property tax rate shown above is a city-profile effective estimate. Your actual Birmingham property tax bill is set by your county assessor and may include additional levies from your school district, municipal utility district (MUD), or special assessment district. Use these official lookup tools to confirm exact rates for your specific address:
Look up the county your Birmingham address belongs to and find your assessor's office:
- • NACo County Explorer — search by address
- • USA.gov — Alabama local govt directory
School districts add their own millage rate to property tax:
- • NCES District Locator — federal database
- • NCES School Locator (EDGE)
Municipal Utility Districts and special assessment districts are common in fast-growing Alabama suburbs:
- • Census — Census of Governments
- • Check your tax bill for line items beyond county + school district
Disagree with your assessment? You can appeal:
- • Property Tax Appeal Guide
- • Most counties allow 30-60 days post-assessment to file appeal
Why this matters: Two homes valued the same in Birmingham can pay different property tax depending on which school district + MUD they fall within. Always verify with your specific address — the address-level rate may be 10-30% higher than the city average shown here.
Other Cities in Alabama
Sources & Methodology
Tax rate data on this page is compiled from official government sources and updated for the 2026 tax year. Calculations follow the IRS-published 2026 federal tax brackets, FICA rates (6.2% Social Security up to $184,500 wage base, 1.45% Medicare), and Alabama state tax provisions. Property tax estimates use Birmingham's median home value of $115,000and the local effective property tax rate of 0.44%.
- • Federal tax brackets and standard deductions: IRS.gov
- • State income tax rates and brackets: Alabama Department of Revenue
- • Median household income, home value, and demographics: U.S. Census Bureau ACS
- • Cost of living comparisons: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CES
- • National average benchmarks: Tax Foundation state-level tax burden studies
Disclaimer: Estimates are for informational purposes only. Actual tax liability depends on filing status, deductions, credits, and individual circumstances. Consult a licensed tax professional or your state revenue agency for binding tax guidance.
Reviewed by LevyIO Tax Research Team · Published 2026-01-15 · Last updated 2026-05-27
Calculate Your Full Alabama Tax Burden
See detailed state tax brackets, FICA breakdown, and compare to neighboring states.
Reviewed data sources
Reviewed May 27, 2026. Calculations use current public tax guidance and published source data.
1. Enter the tax scenario
Use the filing status, income type, state, payroll, deduction, credit, or transaction details that match the real case.
2. Review assumptions
Check the visible formula context, source notes, related calculators, and federal or state limits before relying on the estimate.
3. Verify before filing
Confirm final tax positions with IRS guidance, state revenue agencies, payroll records, brokerage forms, or a qualified tax professional.
Planning estimate, not tax advice
LevyIO calculators are educational planning tools. Actual federal, state, payroll, property, sales, and local tax results can change with filing status, credits, deductions, residency, employer withholding, address-level rates, and current forms. Verify final filing positions with IRS or state guidance, payroll records, tax software, or a qualified tax professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the tax rates in Birmingham, AL?
Birmingham, Alabama has a state income tax rate up to 5%, plus a local income tax of 1%. The property tax rate is 0.44% and the combined sales tax rate is 10%. Birmingham levies a 1% occupational tax on wages earned in the city
How much is property tax in Birmingham?
The effective property tax rate in Birmingham is 0.44%. On the median home price of $115,000, this equals approximately $506 per year or $42 per month. This is below the national average of 1.1%.
What is the sales tax rate in Birmingham?
The combined sales tax rate in Birmingham is 10%, which includes both state and local components. This is above the national average combined rate of approximately 7.12%.
How does Birmingham's tax burden compare to other cities?
Birmingham has a very low overall tax burden. The effective total tax rate for a median-income household is approximately 23.9%. The combination of 5% state income tax, 0.44% property tax, and 10% sales tax determines the total burden. Cost of living index is 87.5 (100 = national average).
Are there any local taxes in Birmingham?
Yes. Birmingham imposes a local income tax of 1% in addition to the state income tax of 5%. Birmingham levies a 1% occupational tax on wages earned in the city