Tax Lawyers in Riverside
The government of Riverside, California collects taxes from its residents in order to pay for general public services, like police and fire departments, libraries, hospitals, and public transit.
Taxes in Riverside, California 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.
You are legally-obligated to pay your taxes in Riverside. 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 Riverside, California
Taxes can come from a wide number of sources in Riverside, California, such as sales tax, administrative/licensing fees, and tolls.
Sales Tax: A sales tax in Riverside is a surcharge added to the price of most goods that are sold by retailers to the general public. The government of further imposes a sales tax, which must be paid in addition to the local tax. Normally, local sales taxes are less than one percent, while state sales taxes are in the 5% range.
Licensing Fees: Riverside 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 Riverside, 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 Riverside, California Tax Attorney Help?
Tax Law in Riverside, California is sometimes simple. More often than not, however, some wrinkle appears that makes determining one's tax liability more convoluted than it probably needs to be. Furthermore, many individuals and groups are legally entitled to tax breaks and deductions, which can make figuring out one's tax liability even more difficult.
Thus, it's extremely important that you obtain the advice of a knowledgeable Riverside, California tax attorney if you have any tax law questions.