Corporate Tax Lawyers in Watertown

In Watertown, New York, 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 system is sometimes called "corporate personhood" by New York lawyers. It means, in simple terms, that the law treats a corporation just as it would treat a human being - having most of the legal rights and duties that also apply to individuals.

One of a corporation's primary legal obligations is its duty to pay income taxes, as an actual person would.

Corporate Tax Rate in Watertown, New York

Every corporation in the United States is required to pay federal income tax. Most states also have a corporate income tax, which corporations doing business in Watertown, New York are required to pay.

Under federal laws that control corporate income taxes, corporations pay a different income tax rate from individual people. Corporations pay a maximum federal income tax rate of 35%, and a minimum rate of 15%, depending on their income. The high tax rate applies to corporations that make .3 million per year, and the low rate applies to any company bringing in less than ,000.

In New York the corporate tax rate probably differs from the individual tax rate as well. In many states, policymakers have determined that the local economy benefits most when it is business-friendly. In those states, the corporate tax rate is usually lower than the individual income tax rate, unlike the federal system, where the corporate tax rate is higher.

In any case, Watertown, New York 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 Watertown, New York Corporate Tax Lawyer Help?

Most bigger companies have corporate attorneys and accountants on staff who help them comply with federal and state tax laws.

As most business owners know, however, the majority of small Watertown corporations can't afford to have attorneys on staff full time. Therefore, 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 Watertown, New York tax attorney immediately.