Do I enter the gross distribution amount or zero on my alabama return? I am a retired federal employee and do not know?

[gtohhhh]

As a retired federal employee in Alabama, my retirement income is not taxed by the state. On the state return, what do I enter as income? I put in the amount on my 1099R, and TurboTax says I owe a substantial amount. Do I enter my income as zero or what?

[JulieH1]

Are you filing a joint return or separately?

[gtohhhh]

Separate, I am divorced. Thank you for the quick reply!

[JulieH1 · Accepted solution]

If the retired federal employee income is all you have to report in AL, then you do not need to do a return at all.  If you have other income and must do a return then you do not enter the retired income.  I have attached a link to the Alabama Department of Revenue guidance on this.  See page 7.  

https://revenue.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/08f40bk.pdf

If your other income is above the amount below for your filing status you need to file:

Full year residents whose filing status is “Single” must file if gross income for the year is at least $4,000. Full year residents whose filing status is “Married Filing Separate Return” must file if gross income for the year is at least $5,250.  Full year residents whose filing status is Head of Family” must file if gross income for the year is at least $7,700.  Those whose filing status is “Married Filing Joint Return” and whose gross income for the year is at least $10,500 must file an Alabama income tax return.