Tax Lawyers in Erie County

Taxes in Erie County, Pennsylvania are collected out of necessity. They pay for basic public services, which many of us take for granted.

Taxes in Erie County, Pennsylvania can come from a wide variety of sources, but they are always collected at a rate set by law. Sometimes, taxes might come in the form of flat fees, and other times they are collected as a percentage of something, such as a person's income or the value of a piece of property.

In case you were wondering, paying your taxes in Erie County is mandatory. The law requires it. So, if you don't pay your taxes, with very few exceptions, you are guilty of a crime, and will be punished accordingly.

Sources of Tax Dollars in Erie County, Pennsylvania

Several different things can be taxed in Erie County, Pennsylvania. This is meant to ensure that there is a wide range of sources of tax revenue, and that the government does not have to rely too heavily on any one revenue stream that could dry up. For example, local governments collect revenue from sales taxes, licensing fees, as bridge tolls, among many other things.

Sales Tax: A sales tax in Erie County is a surcharge added to the price of most goods that are sold by retailers to the general public. The government of also imposes a sales tax, which must be paid in addition to the local tax. Typically, local sales taxes are less than one percent, while state sales taxes are in the 5% range.

Licensing Fees: Erie County issues licenses that are required to legally engage in certain activities. Most often, the purpose of these licenses is to raise revenue in the form of fees, making them similar to taxes. One of the most common is the business license, which most businesses must obtain before operating.

Bridge/Road Tolls: Many larger cities in the U.S. charge tolls to enter the city via major highways or bridges. This amounts to a tax paid for the privilege of entering Erie County if it has such toll roads. Besides being a general source of revenue, these tolls require visitors to the city, who will have many city services available to them while they visit, to pay at least some contribution to these services.

How Can a Erie County, Pennsylvania Tax Attorney Help?

In Erie County, Pennsylvania, many different laws and regulations govern taxes, making the theoretically simple task of determining one's tax liability pretty difficult. On top of that, there are many different breaks and exemptions that apply to specific types of groups and individuals, further complicating things.

So, if you have any questions or problems with your taxes in Erie County, Pennsylvania, it's very important to speak with a qualified Erie County tax law specialist.