Tax Lawyers in Independence

To pay for basic services like police, schools, firefighters, libraries, and hospitals, the government of Independence, Kansas collects taxes.

Taxes in Independence, Kansas are derived from a wide variety of sources. Regardless of the source, however, the amount that's taken is never arbitrary, and is always determined by law. A tax can come either in the form of a flat fee, or as a percentage of one's income, the value of a piece of property, or a sale.

Residents of Independence are legally required to pay their taxes. Failure to do so can result in civil penalties, criminal fines, and even imprisonment.

Sources of Tax Dollars in Independence, Kansas

Taxes can come from a wide variety of sources in Independence, Kansas, such as sales tax, administrative/licensing fees, and tolls.

Sales Tax: Generally cities in the U.S., as well as most states, charge a sales tax. In Independence, the sales tax is calculated as a percentage of the sale price of most goods and services. The rate varies from state to state, and city to city.

Licensing Fees: The government of Independence issues licenses for engaging in a wide variety 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: Many larger cities in the U.S. charge tolls to enter the city via major highways or bridges. This amounts to a tax paid for the privilege of entering Independence if it has such toll roads. Besides being a general source of revenue, these tolls require visitors to the city, who will have many city services available to them while they visit, to pay at least some contribution to these services.

How Can a Independence, Kansas Tax Attorney Help?

In Independence, Kansas, 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. Additionally, there are many different exemptions, breaks, and deductions that can make the matter even more complex.

Therefore, it's extremely important that you obtain the advice of a reliable Independence, Kansas tax attorney if you have any tax law questions.