The income tax in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is a tax imposed on all money earned and received during the year. Under federal law, income from any source can be taxed. The federal government has the power to impose an income tax thanks to the 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, enacted in 1916 after the Supreme Court had, on more than one occasion, found a federal income tax to be unconstitutional. Of course, before and after the creation of the federal income tax, states, including Pennsylvania were free to impose income taxes of their own.
Everybody in the U.S. is subject to the federal income tax. But you are only subject to the income tax of the state in which you reside. Some states have no income tax at all. You should speak with an accountant or tax Attorney in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania if you don't know what the tax system is here.
Income Tax Deductions in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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 confused with a tax credit, which is simply a reduction in somebody's tax bill. A tax credit will typically reduce your tax liability far more than a tax deduction of the same amount.
Many common expenses in Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Tax Attorney Help?
Income tax law can get fairly complex in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. If you have any questions about your income tax liability, you should not hesitate to speak with a tax Attorney sooner, rather than later.