Tax Lawyers in Birmingham

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

In Birmingham, Michigan, there are many different sources of tax revenue. Irrespective of the source, however, taxes are always levied in amounts determined 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 Birmingham 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 Birmingham, Michigan

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

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

Licensing Fees: The government of Birmingham 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: 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 Birmingham, 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 Birmingham, Michigan Tax Attorney Help?

In Birmingham, Michigan, 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 necessary that you obtain the counsel of a qualified tax lawyer in Birmingham, Michigan if you think that you might need help with your local taxes.