Corporate Tax Lawyers in Harlan

In Harlan, Iowa, a "corporation" is defined as a legal entity that's separate from its owners. Thus, from a legal standpoint, the owner of a corporation and the corporation itself are not the same "person."

This system is sometimes called "corporate personhood" by Iowa lawyers. It means, in simple terms, that the law treats a corporation just as it would treat a human being - having most of the legal rights and duties that also apply to individuals.

One of a corporation's primary legal obligations is its duty to pay income taxes, as an actual person would.

Corporate Tax Rate in Harlan, Iowa

Every corporation in the U.S. which has taxable income must pay its share of the federal corporate income tax. The majority of states additionally have a corporate income tax, which Harlan, Iowa corporations are required to pay.

Under the federal tax system, and the tax laws of some states, corporate income is taxed at a different rate from the income of individuals. For example, the top federal income tax rate for corporations is 35%, compared with 33% for individuals. The highest tax rate applies to corporations making more than .3 million per year. The lowest corporate tax rate is 15%, applying to those corporations that make less than ,000 per year.

The corporate tax rate in Iowa may also differ from the individual tax rate. However, in many states, the corporate tax rate is lower than the individual income tax rate. This is because many states believe that the best way to attract business (and consequently improve their economies) is to have a low corporate tax rate.

Corporations in Harlan, Iowa are required to pay both the state and federal corporate tax. Failing to pay either (or both) of these taxes can result in severe legal penalties, including fines that may prove ruinous, especially for smaller businesses.

How Can a Harlan, Iowa Corporate Tax Lawyer Help?

Most very large corporations have tax attorneys and accountants on staff, as full-time employees, who help them stay in compliance with all applicable state and federal income tax laws.

Of course, smaller companies in Harlan can't afford to have full-time legal and accounting departments on their payroll. Accordingly, if your business is organized as a corporation, and has an issue with its taxes, it's imperative that you contact a Harlan, Iowa tax attorney as soon as possible.