In Portola Valley, California, an income tax is imposed on a certain percentage of the income of all individuals and businesses. Typically, 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 Portola Valley, California if you aren't clear about what system your state has.

Income Tax Deductions in Portola Valley, California

A tax deduction is simply a reduction in the portion of a person's income which is taxable. For example, if someone makes ,000 per year, and gets a ,000 tax deduction, their taxable income is ,000.

Don't confuse a tax deduction with a tax credit. A tax credit simply reduces your tax bill by the amount of the credit. A tax credit normally reduces your tax bill more than a deduction of the same amount.

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

How Can A Portola Valley, 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 Portola Valley, California tax Attorney to avoid the consequences of under-paying, and to prevent you from over-paying.