In El Cerrito, California, an income tax is imposed on a certain percentage of the income of all individuals and businesses. Usually, income from all sources may be taxed. The federal government has had explicit constitutional authority to impose an income tax since 1916, with the passage of the 16th Amendment. This came after the Supreme Court had consistently found a federal income tax to be unconstitutional. States, including California, have always been allowed to impose whatever type of income tax they liked.

While the federal government levies an income tax against every person and corporation in the U.S., the income taxes imposed by the states vary widely. Some states have fairly high income taxes, and a few have none at all. You should consult with an El Cerrito, California tax Lawyer if you don't know what type of tax system your state has.

Income Tax Deductions in El Cerrito, California

A tax deduction is a reduction in your taxable income. It results in less of one's income being taxable, which causes a reduced tax liability.

This should not be confused with a tax credit, which is a reduction of a person's tax bill. A tax credit almost always results in a reduced tax burden than a tax reduction of the same amount.

Many common expenses in El Cerrito can be deducted, in whole or in part, from your taxable income. Federal tax deductions include charitable contributions, union dues, interest paid on a mortgage, and state and local taxes.

How Can A El Cerrito, California Tax Attorney Help?

Income tax laws can get quite complex, particularly when large amounts of money from multiple sources are involved. It would not be a bad idea to call an El Cerrito, California tax Lawyer to avoid the consequences of under-paying, and to prevent you from over-paying.