In Santa Clara, 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 Santa Clara, California if you aren't clear about what system your state has.
Income Tax Deductions in Santa Clara, 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 deduction of ,000 results in only ,000 being taxed. This means that you will pay ,900 instead of ,000.
This should not be conflated with a tax credit, which is a reduction in one's tax bill. A tax credit typically results in a greater reduction in tax liability than a deduction in the same amount.
Many common expenses in Santa Clara can be deducted, in whole or in part, from your taxable income. Federal tax deductions include charitable donations, union dues, interest paid on a mortgage, and state and local taxes.
How Can A Santa Clara, California Tax Attorney Help?
Income tax laws are notoriously complex. If you live in Santa Clara, California and run into any type of tax problems, including an audit or wage garnishment, a local tax Attorney would almost certainly be able to help.