Corporate Tax Lawyers in St. Petersburg
In St. Petersburg, Florida, 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 concept is referred to as "corporate personhood" in Florida, and it essentially means that, for many purposes under the law, corporations are treated the same as individual people, being subject to many of the same rights and responsibilities.
One of these obligations is the duty to pay income tax in much the same way as an individual person.
Corporate Tax Rate in St. Petersburg, Florida
Virtually every for-profit corporation in the U.S. is required to pay taxes on its income each year. Most states also have their own corporate income tax. All corporations in St. Petersburg, Florida are required to pay it.
In most states, and at the federal level, corporations are taxed at a different rate than individuals. At the federal level, the corporate income tax maxes out at 35% for corporations that earn more than .3 million per year. Corporations that earn less than ,000 per year are taxed at 15%. There are several tax brackets in between. However, the individual federal income tax rate tops at 33%.
In Florida the corporate tax rate probably differs from the individual tax rate as well. In many states, policymakers have determined that the local economy benefits most when it is business-friendly. In those states, the corporate tax rate is typically lower than the individual income tax rate, unlike the federal system, where the corporate tax rate is higher.
In St. Petersburg, Florida, corporations must pay both the federal and state corporate income tax. Failing to pay these taxes can result in severe punishment, including huge fines which can put a corporation out of business.
How Can a St. Petersburg, Florida 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 most smaller St. Petersburg corporations cannot afford to have these professionals on staff. So, they simply hire them as needed. If you are a business owner, and you have questions about corporate taxation, you should seek the counsel of a competent and reputable tax lawyer in St. Petersburg, Florida as soon as you can.