Payroll Services

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How do I change my address?
  2. How do I stop a payroll deduction?
  3. Why do I have to Direct Deposit my pay?
  4. To what banks can I direct deposit my pay?
  5. What is FICA OA? FICA MD?
  6. What is FIMA?
  7. How do I change my tax deductions?
  8. Why was so much Federal Income Tax cut from my supplemental pay?
  9. Can I get a copy of my W-2 form, if I lose my original?
  10. What is the difference between the Faculty/Staff Set-up Form and the New Hire Form?
  11. What if I missed the deadline for submitting my Monthly Leave Report (annual or sick leave)?
  12. Can Bereavement and Jury Duty be entered on the Monthly Leave Report?

1) How do I change my address?
Employees can change their addresses by:
• Logging into myBama and following these instructions,
• Completing the Address & Personal Information Change Form and returning it to the HR Service Center, or
• Emailing the HR Service Center at hrsvctr@ua.edu to request an address change (email requests must include the employee's CWID)

2) How do I stop a payroll deduction?
Payroll deductions, such as Rec Center Fees and Parking Fees, must be resolved with the appropriate department. Please contact the Payroll department for other deductions.

3) Why do I have to Direct Deposit my pay?
By policy, direct deposit of your pay is mandatory at the University. The only exception to this rule is for work study students.

4) To what banks can I direct deposit my pay?
Any financial institution that is currently a member of the Automated Clearing House (ACH). Most financial institutions are members.

5) What is FICA OA? FICA MD?
FICA is composed of Social Security (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and Medicare tax. The current Social Security rate is 6.20% of a base amount that is subject to change each year due to a rise in the Consumer Price Index. The Social Security wage base limit for 2019 is $132,900. The Medicare rate is 1.45% and currently has no income limit. All employees are subject to both FICA taxes. Generally, students are exempt from FICA tax if they meet the IRS requirements for student exemption.

6) What is FIMA?
An Additional Medicare Tax of 0.9% became effective January 1, 2013. The additional tax will apply to an individual's wages and compensation paid in excess of $200,000 in a calendar year. An employer is required to begin withholding Additional Medicare Tax in the pay period in which it pays wages and compensation in excess of $200,000 to an employee. There is no employer match for the Additional Medicare Tax. It will appear on UA paycheck stubs as FIMA.

7) How do I change my tax deductions?
Employees can complete new Federal and State tax forms at HR Administration Building, Suite 1001. Changes will take effect on the next available payroll period. If you are claiming exempt from Federal tax, a new W-4 form must be completed annually.

8) Why was so much Federal Income Tax cut from my supplemental pay?
Supplemental pay is considered pay in addition to an employee's regular pay and is subject to a flat tax rate as required by the Federal and State tax regulations. Employees receiving pay on a supplemental payroll are subject to a 22% Federal Tax deduction and a 5% State Tax deduction.

9) Can I get a copy of my W-2 form, if I lose my original?
Yes, employees may obtain a copy of their W-2s by:
• Logging into myBama and following these instructions, or
• Contacting the HR Service Center via phone, (205) 348-7732, or email at hrsvctr@ua.edu

10) What is the difference between the Faculty/Staff Set-up Form and the New Hire Form?
The Faculty/Staff Set-up Form is used to generate a CWID for new faculty and staff that do not have one from prior UA association. A New Hire Form should be routed with the new hire PA to capture demographic information. Please make sure these forms are complete and legible. Use black or blue ink ONLY.

11) What if I missed the deadline for submitting my Monthly Leave Report (annual or sick leave)?
Enter the leave time on the 1st Saturday of the following month, unless you are scheduled to retire or terminate.

12) Can Bereavement and Jury Duty be entered on the Monthly Leave Report?
No, those records must be maintained within the department.

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