Tax Lawyers in Harris County

Taxes in Harris County, Texas are collected out of necessity. They pay for basic public services, which most of us take for granted.

In Harris County, Texas, taxes are derived from different sources. Regardless of where a specific tax comes from, it is always collected in an amount dictated by law. Most often, taxes are calculated as a percentage of income, sales, or property value. Sometimes, usually in the context of licensing fees or car registration fees, taxes are set at a flat rate.

Residents of Harris County are legally obligated to pay their taxes. Failure to do so can result in civil penalties, criminal fines, and even imprisonment.

Sources of Tax Dollars in Harris County, Texas

Taxes can come from a wide number of sources in Harris County, Texas, such as sales tax, administrative/licensing fees, and tolls.

Sales Tax: Generally cities in the U.S., as well as most states, charge a sales tax. In Harris County, the sales tax is calculated as a percentage of the sale price of most goods and services. The rate varies from state to state, and city to city.

Licensing Fees: The city of Harris County may require business owners to get a license from the local government before they begin operating within city limits. Typically, the main hurdle involved in obtaining one of these licenses is paying a fee to the city government. Although these payments are called "fees" as opposed to "taxes," they operate in the same way, and serve largely the same purpose, as taxes.

Bridge/Road Tolls: Many major cities have tollbooths on all the main roads or highways that go into them. This effectively amounts to a tax paid to enter Harris County, ensuring that visitors to the city present at least a small contribution to paying for the city services that they will enjoy while there.

How Can a Harris County, Texas Tax Attorney Help?

In Harris County, Texas, tax law can get pretty complicated. Taxes are levied on a huge range of products and activities, and they are often calculated in intricate ways. Furthermore, many groups and individuals are subject to special tax breaks and exemptions, which might or might not apply to you.

Therefore, it's very important that you seek the advice of a reliable Harris County, Texas tax attorney if you have any type of issue involving local taxes.