Alabama Tax Lawyers

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

The taxes that Alabama 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 Alabama is required to pay their taxes. If you don't pay the taxes assessed against you, you are committing a significant criminal offense, punishable by jail time and large fines.

Sources of Tax Revenue in Alabama

Taxes in Alabama 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 Alabama, 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. But, 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: Everybody in the U.S., including residents of Alabama, is required to pay a federal income tax, assuming they bring in any income. Most states also have a personal income tax, though some states do not. The majority of Americans derive almost all of their income from employment wages. Typically, their federal and (if applicable) state income taxes are deducted from their paychecks. This is beneficial, in that your taxes are paid as you go, and you usually don't have a large tax bill at the end of the year. Depending on one's income, the federal income tax rate can be as low as 10%, or as high as 33%.

Property Tax: In Alabama, a property tax only applies to people who own real estate (land or houses). Usually, the state appraised (estimates the value of) every piece of real estate under its jurisdiction. It then imposes on owners an annual tax calculated as a percentage of the property's appraised value. Property tax can be paid in several ways, but many people have arrangements allowing them to pay their property taxes in manageable monthly installments, right alongside their mortgage payments. Sometimes, the mortgage and tax can be bundled into a single payment.

How Can A Alabama Tax Lawyer Help?

Everybody in Alabama who engages in any form of economic activity, whether it's working at a grocery store, or owning one, is going to have to pay taxes.

Tax Law in Alabama can get extremely perplexing. It is so complex that most tax attorneys in Alabama practice tax law exclusively, eschewing all other practice areas. So, this specialization means that most tax lawyers are experts in their fields. It should go without saying, then, that an Alabama tax lawyer can be invaluable if you have an issue with your taxes.

Interesting Facts About Alabama

Alabama, the "Yellowhammer State", is situated in the southeastern portion of the U.S. Like many southern states, Alabama began as a primarily agriculture-centered locale. Today it is home to many businesses, particularly high-tech industries. The presence of several military installations also helps to boost Alabama's work force. Alabama's Unified Judicial System is one of the oldest networks of courts in the country.

The state of Alabama is well-noted for its state Constitution. Ratified in 1901, the Alabama Constitution contains over 300,000 words and nearly 800 amendments. This makes it the lengthiest constitution in the entire world. It is about 40 times the length of the United States Constitution. The Alabama Constitution is unique among state constitutions as it grants a great amount of power to the central government and much less power to local authorities.

Alabama's Unified Judicial System operates the state's courts in accordance with the Alabama Constitution. The judicial system is made up of Municipal and District Courts spread out throughout the state. There are also Circuit Courts, a Court of Appeals (Civil and Criminal), and the Alabama Supreme Court. The mission of the Unified Judicial System is to be "the most successful judiciary in the nation".

Lawyers in Alabama contribute to the state's success by providing legal services in strict accordance with high professional standards. Alabama lawyers are trained to handle a diverse array of legal claims and inquiries. The services of an Alabama lawyer are often necessary when dealing with the state's distinct body of laws.