In Mountain View, California, an income tax is imposed on a certain percentage of the income of all individuals and businesses. Usually, income from all sources can be taxed. The federal government has had explicit constitutional power to impose an income tax since 1916, with the passage of the 16th Amendment. This came after the Supreme Court had repeatedly found a federal income tax to be unconstitutional. States, including California, have always been free to impose whatever type of income tax they liked.
Everybody in the United States must pay the federal income tax. However, you only have to pay the state income tax of the state in which you reside. You should speak with an accountant or tax lawyer in Mountain View, California if you aren't clear about what system your state has.
Income Tax Deductions in Mountain View, California
A tax deduction is a reduction in one's taxable income. It results in less of your income being taxable, which causes a lower tax liability.
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 lower tax bill than a deduction of the same amount.
Lots of expenses that are common in Mountain View are tax deductible. Federal tax deductions include mortgage interest, union dues, interest paid on mortgages, and others.
How Can A Mountain View, California Tax Attorney Help?
Income tax laws can get quite complex, especially when large amounts of money from multiple sources are involved. It would not be a bad idea to call a Mountain View, California tax Attorney to avoid the consequences of under-paying, and to prevent you from over-paying.