In Cerritos, California, an income tax is imposed on a certain percentage of the income of all individuals and businesses. Generally, 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 a Cerritos, California tax Lawyer if you don't know what type of tax system your state has.

Income Tax Deductions in Cerritos, California

A tax deduction is an expense which, in whole or in part, is subtracted from a person's taxable income. For example, if you make ,000 in a year, and the tax rate is 10%, a reduction of ,000 results in only ,000 being taxed. This means that you will pay ,900 instead of ,000.

There is also something called a tax credit, which is treated as a partial payment of the income tax. A tax credit almost always results in a reduced tax bill than a reduction of the same amount.

Many common expenses in Cerritos can be deducted from your taxable income. They include mortgage interest, charitable contributions (if property documented, of course), the price of tax advice, union dues, and many others.

How Can A Cerritos, California Tax Attorney Help?

Income tax laws are notoriously complex. If you reside in Cerritos, California and run into any type of tax problems, including an audit or wage garnishment, a local tax Lawyer would almost certainly be able to help.