Tax Lawyers in Lafayette Parish

To pay for general services like police, schools, firefighters, libraries, and hospitals, the government of Lafayette Parish, Louisiana collects taxes.

Taxes in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana are derived from a wide number of sources. Regardless of the source, however, the amount that's taken is never arbitrary, and is always decided by law. A tax can come either in the form of a flat fee, or as a percentage of one's income, the value of a piece of property, or a sale.

In case you were wondering, paying your taxes in Lafayette Parish is mandatory. The law states it. So, if you don't pay your taxes, with extremely few exceptions, you are guilty of a crime, and will be punished accordingly.

Sources of Tax Dollars in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana

Taxes can come from a wide number of sources in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, such as sales tax, administrative/licensing fees, and tolls.

Sales Tax: In Lafayette Parish, the sales tax is a tax that's added to the price of goods at the point of sale. Typically, you have to pay a city sales tax on top of whatever sales tax is levied by . Normally, the local sales tax is much smaller than the state tax, which is typically in the area of 5-8%, with the city tax most often being less than one percent.

Licensing Fees: Lafayette Parish issues licenses that are required to legally engage in specific activities. Most frequently, the purpose of these licenses is to raise revenue in the form of fees, making them comparable to taxes. One of the most typical is the business license, which most businesses must obtain before operating.

Bridge/Road Tolls: Some larger cities have tolls set up on every main highway that enters the city. Effectively, this amounts to a fee that you have to pay in order to enter Lafayette Parish, if it imposes such a toll. The idea is that visitors from outside the city enjoy many of the protections provided by the city government while they're there (such as protection by the police), and should pay at least a token sum to contribute to those services.

How Can a Lafayette Parish, Louisiana Tax Attorney Help?

In Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, tax law can get pretty complicated. Taxes are levied on a huge range of products and activities, and they are often calculated in complicated ways. Additionally, many groups and individuals are subject to special tax breaks and exemptions, which might or might not apply to you.

If you have any legal issues with your taxes, you should pursue legal advice from a skilled and reputable tax attorney in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana.