Corporate Tax Lawyers in Smithfield

In Smithfield, 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 identified 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 Smithfield, North Carolina

Virtually every for-profit corporation in the U.S. is required to pay taxes on its income each year. Most states also have their own corporate income tax. All corporations in Smithfield, North Carolina are required to pay it.

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%.

Likewise, chances are good that the corporate tax rate in North Carolina are different from individual income taxes. However, many states feel that their economies would be best served by attracting as many businesses as possible. For that reasons, in a large number of states, the corporate income tax rate is considerably lower than the individual rate.

In any case, Smithfield, 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 typically cheaper for corporations to pay their taxes than to not.

How Can a Smithfield, 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.

However, if you are the owner of a smaller corporation in Smithfield, you probably can't afford a full-time in-house lawyer. For that reason, you should contact an attorney in Smithfield, North Carolina who practices tax law, on an as-needed basis, if you ever encounter a corporate tax issue, such as an audi