Tax Lawyers in Orange County

The government of Orange County, California collects taxes from its residents in order to pay for basic public services, like police and fire departments, libraries, hospitals, and public transit.

Taxes in Orange County, California are derived from a wide variety of sources. Regardless of the source, however, the amount that's taken is never arbitrary, and is always determined 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.

You are legally-required to pay your taxes in Orange County. If you fail to pay your taxes, without a compelling reason, you are committing a crime, and may end up going to jail as a result.

Sources of Tax Dollars in Orange County, California

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

Sales Tax: Typically cities in the U.S., as well as most states, charge a sales tax. In Orange County, 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 Orange County issues licenses for engaging in a wide variety 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: Some larger cities have tolls set up on every major highway that enters the city. Effectively, this amounts to a fee that you have to pay in order to enter Orange County, 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 Orange County, California Tax Attorney Help?

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

Thus, if you have any questions or problems with your taxes in Orange County, California, it's very important to speak with a knowledgeable Orange County tax law specialist.