Corporate Tax Lawyers in New Hanover County

In New Hanover County, North Carolina, a "corporation" is a legal entity that is completely distinct from any person - even its owner. So, this means that a corporation is a distinct "person" from its owners and directors.

This doctrine is recognized as "corporate personhood." While the concept is somewhat abstract, the law of North Carolina treats corporations as individual persons, for most purposes. This means that, legally, corporations have many of the same rights, privileges, and obligations as living, breathing human beings.

One of the main legal duties a corporation has is the requirement that it pay taxes on its income, just as a person would.

Corporate Tax Rate in New Hanover County, North Carolina

Every corporation in the U.S. which has taxable income must pay its share of the federal corporate income tax. The majority of states further have a corporate income tax, which New Hanover County, North Carolina corporations are required to pay.

At the federal level, and in some states, corporations are taxed at different rates from individuals. Federally, the top corporate tax rate is 35% - a rate applying to corporations earning more than .3 million per year. Corporations earning less than ,000 a year pay a 15% corporate tax rate, and there are a few tax brackets in between. For comparison, the federal income tax for individuals maxes out at 33%.

The corporate tax rate in North Carolina 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 thus improve their economies) is to have a low corporate tax rate.

In any case, New Hanover County, North Carolina corporations have to pay both the state and federal income tax. If they fail to do so, they can be subject to severe penalties, such as very large fines. These fines can be big enough to put some smaller companies out of business. Suffice to say, it's normally cheaper for corporations to pay their taxes than to not.

How Can a New Hanover County, North Carolina 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.

But if you are the owner of a small corporation in New Hanover County, chances are you don't have a full-service legal department on your payroll. Therefore, if you need help with your corporate taxes, it's crucial that you speak with a lawyer in New Hanover County, North Carolina who practices tax law.