Locate Michigan Tax Lawyers

In Michigan "taxes" are monies taken from individuals or corporations by the government, at a rate set by law.

The taxes that Michigan collects pay for essential public services like roads, firefighters, police, courts, schools, and many other benefits that come with living in a modern society.

Everyone who legally resides in Michigan is required to pay their taxes. If you don't pay the taxes assessed against you, you are committing a serious criminal offense, punishable by jail time and large fines.

Sources of Tax Revenue in Michigan

Taxes in Michigan can be derived from a large number of different sources, and in different amounts. The most common sources of tax revenue nationwide are Sales Tax, Income Tax, and Property Tax.

Sales Tax: Most states collect a tax on the sales of goods. In Michigan, the sales tax is calculated as a percentage of the sale price of most (but usually not all) items. Technically, the tax is assessed against the sellers of goods. However, the vast majority of vendors pass this tax onto their customers, adding it to the marked price of a product at the point of sale.

Income Tax: In Michigan, the "income tax" is exactly what the name implies: a tax on the income of individuals and corporations. Everyone in the United States has to pay the federal income tax. So, even if the state you live in doesn't have a personal income tax, you are liable for the federal tax. However, the majority of states have their own income tax, though it's usually much lower than the federal tax. Depending on how much money you make per year, your income will be taxed at a rate ranging from 10% to 33%.

Property Tax: Along with mortgage payments, property taxes in Michigan are one of the biggest expenses associated with home ownership. In order to collect property taxes, the state or local government appraises the value of every privately-owned piece of real estate in its jurisdiction. It then collects a certain percentage of that value in taxes. In order to avoid having to pay a huge tax bill at the end of each year, most people elect to pay their property taxes in monthly installments.

How Can A Michigan Tax Lawyer Help?

If you live in Michigan, and engage in any economic activity whatsoever (working for a salary, buying or selling goods, owning property, etc.), you almost certainly have a tax liability.

Tax Law in Michigan can get fairly complicated. In fact, many lawyers in Michigan who practice tax law specialize in that field, and don't practice any other area of law. This should give you a sense of how complicated tax issues can become. Therefore, if you have any legal issue that involves your taxes in Michigan, you should consult with an experienced tax lawyer ASAP.

Interesting Facts About Michigan

Michigan has a population of over 9 million people and is the 8th most populated state in the U.S. The name "Michigan" means "large lake". In the year 1837, Michigan became the 26th state to officially join the Union. The Michigan State Capitol is located in the city of Lansing in Ingham County.

Michigan's court system is comprised of three levels, each serving a different purpose. At the lowest level are the District Courts, Municipal Courts, and Probate Courts. Appeals and higher matters are heard at the intermediate level through the Circuit Court system. Michigan also operates a Court of Claims at the intermediate level, which hears administrative agency appeals involving claims against the state. Michigan's highest court is the Michigan Supreme Court.

Aside from hearing advanced legal claims, the Supreme Court also operates the Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society, dedicated to the preservation of Michigan's rich legal history. A famous Michigan court case is Workman v. Detroit Board of Education (1869), one of the first cases dealing with segregation in education. Another famous Michigan case is the Dr. Kevorkian trial involving assisted death and euthanasia. In 1846, Michigan was the first U.S. state to abolish the death penalty.

Lawyers in Michigan file most of their claims at the District or Municipal Court level. Michigan lawyers are experienced in a broad range of legal topics, allowing them to address the unique legal needs of the community. Michigan continues to promote its rich tradition of legal excellence and service.