Tax Lawyers in Washington

The government of Washington, District of Columbia collects taxes from its residents in order to pay for general public services, like police and fire departments, libraries, hospitals, and public transit.

In Washington, District of Columbia, there are numerous different sources of tax revenue. Irrespective of the source, however, taxes are always levied in amounts decided by the relevant laws. Typically, taxes are calculated as a percentage of something, such as income or home value. Sometimes, however, they are simply collected as a flat fee (usually in exchange for a license or permit).

Everyone in Washington is obligated by law to pay the taxes they owe. If you fail to do this, you could end up facing jail time.

Sources of Tax Dollars in Washington, District of Columbia

In Washington, StateName>, taxes can come from a range of sources, such as sales tax, licensing money, and bridge/road tolls.

Sales Tax: Typically cities in the U.S., as well as most states, charge a sales tax. In Washington, the sales tax is calculated as a percentage of the sale price of most goods and services. The rate varies from state to state, and city to city.

Licensing Fees: The government of Washington issues licenses for engaging in a wide number of different activities. Most frequently, they issue business licenses, which business owners must obtain before operating any type of business in city limit. The most important of this process is usually paying a fee. While these taxes are called "fees," instead of "taxes," they are functionally identical, and serve the same purpose (namely, raising revenue).

Bridge/Road Tolls: Many larger cities in the U.S. charge tolls to enter the city via main highways or bridges. This amounts to a tax paid for the privilege of entering Washington if it has such toll roads. Besides being a basic source of revenue, these tolls require visitors to the city, who will have many city services available to them while they visit, to pay at least some contribution to these services.

How Can a Washington, District of Columbia Tax Attorney Help?

Tax Law in Washington, District of Columbia is not simple. Taxes are imposed on a wide range of activities, and the manner in which they're calculated can be very complicated. Moreover, there are usually special tax breaks or exemptions that may or may not apply to you.

Thus, if you have any questions or problems with your taxes in Washington, District of Columbia, it's very important to speak with a knowledgeable Washington tax law specialist.