Locate District of Columbia Tax Lawyers
In District of Columbia "taxes" are monies taken from persons or corporations by the government, at a rate set by law.
The taxes that District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia
Taxes in District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia, 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 District of Columbia, 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: Along with mortgage payments, property taxes in District of Columbia are one of the largest expenses associated with home ownership. In order to gather property taxes, the state or local government appraises the value of every privately-owned piece of real estate in its jurisdiction. It then collects a certain percentage of that value in taxes. In order to avoid having to pay a huge tax bill at the end of each year, most people elect to pay their property taxes in monthly installments.
How Can A District of Columbia Tax Lawyer Help?
If you reside in District of Columbia, and engage in any economic activity whatsoever (working for a salary, buying or selling goods, owning property, etc.), you almost definitely have a tax liability.
Tax Law in District of Columbia can get extremely perplexing. It is so complex that most tax attorneys in District of Columbia 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 a District of Columbia tax lawyer can be invaluable if you have an issue with your taxes.
Interesting Facts About District of Columbia
Washington, D.C., or the District of Columbia ("D.C."), is a federal district controlled by the U.S. federal government. It is the nation's capital and not part of any U.S. state. Congress approved the creation of D.C. in 1790. All three branches of the federal government have their centers in the District, and the area is full of historical museums and U.S. monuments.
The District of Columbia has powers of self-governance, as it has an elected mayor and a city council. The Home Rule Act of 1973 allows the District to operate a municipal government. However, the U.S. Congress ultimately has authority over the city and is empowered to overturn local laws as necessary. Residents of D.C. are subject to federal taxation, although they have no voting representative in the U.S. Congress.
Washington D.C.'s court system revolves around the Superior Court of the District of Columbia and the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. Most claims are filed through the Superior Court, which oversees local criminal and civil cases. There is also a U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, which only presides over federal cases. D.C. maintains a Metropolitan Police Department, and several federal enforcement agencies operate there as well.
Lawyers in Washington D.C. understand the complex interaction of federal and state rules that govern the region. Washington, D.C. attorneys are members of the District of Columbia Bar Association, created in 1972. Legal claims may be directed to a D.C. lawyer, who can provide counseling and other services.
