Tax Lawyers in Boston
To pay for general services like police, schools, firefighters, libraries, and hospitals, the government of Boston, Massachusetts collects taxes.
In Boston, Massachusetts, there are various different sources of tax revenue. Irrespective of the source, however, taxes are always levied in amounts decided 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).
Residents of Boston are legally obligated to pay their taxes. Failure to do so can result in civil penalties, criminal fines, and even imprisonment.
Sources of Tax Dollars in Boston, Massachusetts
Taxes can come from a wide number of sources in Boston, Massachusetts, such as sales tax, administrative/licensing fees, and tolls.
Sales Tax: A sales tax in Boston is a surcharge added to the price of most goods that are sold by retailers to the general public. The government of further imposes a sales tax, which must be paid in addition to the local tax. Typically, local sales taxes are less than one percent, while state sales taxes are in the 5% range.
Licensing Fees: Boston issues licenses that are required to legally engage in certain activities. Most often, the purpose of these licenses is to raise revenue in the form of fees, making them comparable to taxes. One of the most common is the business license, which most businesses must obtain before operating.
Bridge/Road Tolls: Many larger cities in the U.S. charge tolls to enter the city via main highways or bridges. This amounts to a tax paid for the privilege of entering Boston if it has such toll roads. Besides being a basic 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 Boston, Massachusetts Tax Attorney Help?
In Boston, Massachusetts, many different laws and regulations govern taxes, making the theoretically simple task of determining one's tax liability pretty difficult. On top of that, there are many different breaks and exemptions that apply to specific types of groups and individuals, further complicating things.
If you have any legal issues with your taxes, you should seek legal advice from a competent and reputable tax attorney in Boston, Massachusetts.