Tax Lawyers in Santa Ana
The government of Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana. 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 Santa Ana, California
Taxes can come from a wide number of sources in Santa Ana, California, such as sales tax, administrative/licensing fees, and tolls.
Sales Tax: Mostly cities in the U.S., as well as most states, charge a sales tax. In Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana issues licenses for engaging in a wide number of different activities. Most often, 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: Most major cities charge a toll to enter them via main roads or bridges. These fees are meant to pay for the upkeep of basic public infrastructure in Santa Ana, by imposing a tax on visitors to it. In theory, this means that individuals who visit the city are obligated to contribute to the upkeep of the infrastructure that they will be using while present there.
How Can a Santa Ana, California Tax Attorney Help?
In Santa Ana, California, tax law can get pretty complicated. Taxes are levied on a huge range of products and activities, and they are often calculated in perplexing ways. Also, many groups and individuals are subject to special tax breaks and exemptions, which might or might not apply to you.
Therefore, it's very important that you seek the advice of a qualified Santa Ana, California tax attorney if you have any type of issue involving local taxes.