Corporate Tax Lawyers in Arcata

In Arcata, California, a "corporation" is defined as a legal entity that's separate from its owners. So, from a legal standpoint, the owner of a corporation and the corporation itself are not the same "person."

This doctrine is known as "corporate personhood." While the concept is somewhat abstract, the law of California treats corporations as individual persons, for most purposes. This means that, legally, corporations have many of the same rights, privileges, and obligations as living, breathing human beings.

An discernible example of this concept is a corporation's obligation to pay income taxes similar to how an actual person would.

Corporate Tax Rate in Arcata, California

Every corporation in the U.S. which has taxable income must pay its share of the federal corporate income tax. The majority of states also have a corporate income tax, which Arcata, California corporations are required to pay.

Under the federal tax system, and the tax laws of some states, corporate income is taxed at a different rate from the income of individuals. For example, the top federal income tax rate for corporations is 35%, compared with 33% for individuals. The highest tax rate applies to corporations making more than .3 million per year. The lowest corporate tax rate is 15%, applying to those corporations that make less than ,000 per year.

There's also a good chance that the tax rate applicable to corporations in California differ from the individual tax rates. Some states feel that the best economic policy is to attract as many businesses as they can. So, in some states, the corporate tax rate is lower than the individual tax rate.

Corporations in Arcata, California are required to pay both the state and federal corporate tax. Failing to pay either (or both) of these taxes can result in severe legal penalties, including fines that may prove ruinous, especially for smaller businesses.

How Can a Arcata, California Corporate Tax Lawyer Help?

Many major corporations employ tax lawyers full time, to ensure that they are in compliance with tax laws, and find legal means to reduce their tax liability.

But if you are the owner of a small corporation in Arcata, chances are you don't have a full-service legal department on your payroll. So, if you need help with your corporate taxes, it's crucial that you speak with a lawyer in Arcata, California who practices tax law.