Tax Lawyers in Decatur

The government of Decatur, Georgia collects taxes from its residents in order to pay for basic public services, like police and fire departments, libraries, hospitals, and public transit.

In Decatur, Georgia, there are many different sources of tax revenue. Irrespective of the source, however, taxes are always levied in amounts determined by the relevant laws. Usually, 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 Decatur is mandatory. The law requires it. So, if you don't pay your taxes, with very few exceptions, you are guilty of a crime, and will be punished accordingly.

Sources of Tax Dollars in Decatur, Georgia

In Decatur, StateName>, taxes can come from a range of sources, such as sales tax, licensing fees, and bridge/road tolls.

Sales Tax: In Decatur, the sales tax is a tax that's added to the price of goods at the point of sale. Usually, you have to pay a city sales tax on top of whatever sales tax is levied by . Typically, the local sales tax is much smaller than the state tax, which is usually in the area of 5-8%, with the city tax most often being less than one percent.

Licensing Fees: The government of Decatur issues licenses for engaging in a wide variety 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: Some larger cities have tolls set up on every major highway that enters the city. Effectively, this amounts to a fee that you have to pay in order to enter Decatur, 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 Decatur, Georgia Tax Attorney Help?

In Decatur, Georgia, the laws and regulations that govern the tax system are fairly complex, even if determining one's tax rate is, in theory, a simple matter. Additionally, there are many different exemptions, breaks, and deductions that can make the matter even more complex.

Therefore, it's essential that you obtain the counsel of a qualified tax lawyer in Decatur, Georgia if you think that you might need help with your local taxes.