Oregon Tax Lawyers

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In Oregon "taxes" are monies taken from persons or corporations by the government, at a rate set by law.

The taxes that Oregon collects pay for necessary public services like roads, firefighters, police, courts, schools, and many other benefits that come with living in a modern society.

Everyone who legally resides in Oregon is obliged to pay their taxes. If you don't pay the taxes assessed against you, you are committing a significant criminal offense, punishable by jail time and large fines.

Sources of Tax Revenue in Oregon

Taxes in Oregon can be derived from a large number of different sources, and in different amounts. The most typical sources of tax revenue nationwide are Sales Tax, Income Tax, and Property Tax.

Sales Tax: Most states collect a tax on the sales of goods. In Oregon, the sales tax is calculated as a percentage of the sale price of most (but typically not all) items. Technically, the tax is assessed against the sellers of goods. But, the vast majority of vendors pass this tax onto their customers, adding it to the marked price of a product at the point of sale.

Income Tax: Income tax is, as the name implies, a tax on income. Everybody in the U.S., including in Oregon, has to pay the federal income tax. Most states also have their own income tax. You are further legally obliged to pay the income tax of your state, though the state income tax rates are considerably lower than the federal rate. The federal tax rate ranges from 10% to 33% of taxable income. Obviously, those with a higher income are taxed at a higher rate, for the most part.

Property Tax: The property tax in Oregon is applied to every owner of real property (land and buildings). The state collects from every property owner a percentage of the property's value, on an annual basis. The state first calculates the value of every piece of property within its territory. It then notifies the owner of this assessment, and sometimes gives them an chance to contest it (apparently, people want their assessed property value to be as low as possible, so it will be subject to the lowest tax possible). Normally, the property tax is paid as a monthly payment, sometimes included in one's mortgage.

How Can A Oregon Tax Lawyer Help?

If you engage in any economic or commercial activity in Oregon, such as working, selling products, owning property, or something else, it's a near certainty that you are going to have some tax liability.

Tax Law in Oregon can get extremely confusing. It is so complex that most tax attorneys in Oregon practice tax law exclusively, eschewing all other practice areas. So, this specialization means that most tax lawyers are experts in their fields. It should go without saying, then, that an Oregon tax lawyer can be invaluable if you have an issue with your taxes.

Interesting Facts About Oregon

The state of Oregon is located in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. Oregon has a very rich geographic make-up, with many natural resources and pristine scenery. Thus, the state has some of the nation's strongest pro-environment laws and anti-urban growth policies. These are enforced in efforts to preserve the state's natural environment as the state economy expands.

Oregon is the only state in the U.S. where postal voting is the only method allowed for citizens to vote. The state pioneered voting by mail in 1998 and influenced many other U.S. areas that use postal voting. Also, in 1994 Oregon became the first state to establish state-wide health care through the Oregon Health Plan. In addition to its environmental laws, these developments have made Oregon a pioneer in terms of legal innovations.

There are many types of courts in Oregon, including the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and a variety of minor courts. Most Oregon lawsuits begin at the Circuit Court level. One of the most famous cases in U.S. law, Philip Morris USA v. Williams, originated in the state of Oregon. The Philip Morris case set precedents for claims involving large punitive damage awards, as the plaintiff was issued an award for $79.5 million.

Lawyers in Oregon focus on legal issues that can be quite specific to the region. Oregon laws contain regulations not found elsewhere in the U.S., but an experienced Oregon lawyer can provide expert advice on the state's laws. Attorneys in Oregon provide counsel and representation for clients with legal issues.