The income tax in Mountlake Terrace, Washington is a tax imposed on all of the income earned or received by a person or corporation during a given year. Under federal law, almost any type of income can be taxed. The federal government imposes an income tax on all persons and entities present in the United States. The power to tax incomes was granted to the federal government in 1913 with the ratification of the 16th Amendment to the Constitution. Before that time, the Supreme Court had found a federal income tax unconstitutional, prompting the passage of the amendment. Of course, individual states, including Washington, were free to impose income taxes as they saw fit.

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 Mountlake Terrace, Washington if you aren't clear about what system your state has.

Income Tax Deductions in Mountlake Terrace, Washington

A tax deduction is a reduction in your taxable income. For example, if a person makes ,000 per year, and receives a ,000 tax deduction, they will only have to pay taxes on the remaining ,000.

This should not be confused with a tax credit, which is a reduction of a person's tax bill. A tax credit almost always results in a lower tax burden than a tax deduction of the same amount.

Many common expenses in Mountlake Terrace 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 Mountlake Terrace, Washington Tax Attorney Help?

Income tax laws are notoriously complex. If you live in Mountlake Terrace, Washington 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.