Active-duty and reserve pay
Basic pay is taxed, but pay earned in a designated combat zone is exempt, and allowances for housing, food, uniforms and travel are also exempt.
An E-5 with over 6 years of service earns $49,320 a year in basic pay, and an O-3 with over 6 years $92,844. In Alabama, that basic pay is generally part of state taxable income, apart from the exemptions above. Housing and food allowances are never taxed by any state.
Military retired pay
Military retired pay is exempt.
Your state of legal residence decides
Military pay is taxed by your state of legal residence, usually the state you lived in when you joined or one you later adopted by changing your records, not by the state where you are stationed. This comes from the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. Spouses can choose to use the member's state of legal residence for their own income too.
See your total pay with state tax
Questions
Does Alabama tax military pay?
Alabama taxes most military pay, with some exemptions. Basic pay is taxed, but pay earned in a designated combat zone is exempt, and allowances for housing, food, uniforms and travel are also exempt.
Does Alabama tax military retirement pay?
Military retired pay is exempt.
Is BAH taxed in Alabama?
No. BAH and BAS are not taxable income for federal or state tax in any state.
Which state taxes me if I am stationed in Alabama?
Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, your military pay is taxed only by your state of legal residence, not the state where you are stationed. If Alabama is not your legal residence, Alabama does not tax your military pay.