Tax Lawyers in Atlanta
The government of Atlanta, Georgia collects taxes from its residents in order to pay for general public services, like police and fire departments, libraries, hospitals, and public transit.
In Atlanta, Georgia, there are various different sources of tax revenue. Irrespective of the source, however, taxes are always levied in amounts decided by the relevant laws. Normally, taxes are calculated as a percentage of something, such as income or home value. Sometimes, however, they are simply collected as a flat fee (usually in exchange for a license or permit).
In case you were wondering, paying your taxes in Atlanta is mandatory. The law states it. So, if you don't pay your taxes, with extremely few exceptions, you are guilty of a crime, and will be punished accordingly.
Sources of Tax Dollars in Atlanta, Georgia
In Atlanta, StateName>, taxes can come from a range of sources, such as sales tax, licensing money, and bridge/road tolls.
Sales Tax: The sales tax imposed by Atlanta is on top of the sales tax collected by the government of . Sales taxes are normally fairly small - about 5-7% at the state level, plus a city sales tax that's normally one percent or less.
Licensing Fees: The government of Atlanta issues licenses for engaging in a wide number of different activities. Most commonly, 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 main highway that enters the city. Effectively, this amounts to a fee that you have to pay in order to enter Atlanta, 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 Atlanta, Georgia Tax Attorney Help?
In Atlanta, Georgia, the laws and regulations that govern the tax system are fairly complicated, even if determining one's tax rate is, in theory, a simple matter. Furthermore, there are many different exemptions, breaks, and deductions that can make the matter even more complex.
Thus, it's extremely important that you obtain the advice of a reliable Atlanta, Georgia tax attorney if you have any tax law questions.