Corporate Tax Lawyers in Jamestown

In Jamestown, New York, a "corporation" is a legal entity that is totally distinct from any person - even its owner. So, this means that a corporation is a distinct "person" from its owners and directors.

This concept is referred to as "corporate personhood" in New York, and it typically means that, for many purposes under the law, corporations are treated the same as individual people, being subject to many of the same rights and responsibilities.

An discernible example of this concept is a corporation's obligation to pay income taxes similar to how an actual person would.

Corporate Tax Rate in Jamestown, New York

Every profit-earning corporation in the U.S. must, legally, pay the federal corporate income tax. Many states additionally have their own corporate income tax, which corporations located in Jamestown, New York have to remit.

At the federal level, and in certain 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 persons maxes out at 33%.

The corporate tax rate in New York 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 ideal way to attract business (and consequently improve their economies) is to have a low corporate tax rate.

Whatever their legal tax rate, all corporations in Jamestown, New York are obligated to comply with state and federal income tax laws. Failure to pay income tax can be punished by massive fines, which can occasionally prove financially ruinous.

How Can a Jamestown, New York Corporate Tax Lawyer Help?

Many larger corporations have lawyers and accountants who guarantee that they are in complete compliance with both state and federal tax law.

As most business owners know, however, the majority of small Jamestown corporations can't afford to have attorneys on staff full time. Thus, if you run a small corporation, and are confused about the corporate tax issues that may affect you, it's a very good idea to retain the services of a Jamestown, New York tax attorney immediately.