Corporate Tax Lawyers in Modesto
In Modesto, California, a "corporation" is specified as a legal entity that's separate from its owners. Thus, from a legal standpoint, the owner of a corporation and the corporation itself are not the same "person."
This rule is called "corporate personhood." Essentially, under the law of California, corporations are, in many ways, the same as individual human beings. Thus, corporations have some of the same legal rights and obligations as actual people.
As a prime example, corporations have to pay income taxes, just as a person would.
Corporate Tax Rate in Modesto, California
Every corporation in the United States is obligated to pay federal income tax. Most states also have a corporate income tax, which corporations doing business in Modesto, California are obligated to pay.
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 California 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.
Corporations in Modesto, California are obligated to pay both the state and federal corporate tax. Failing to pay either (or both) of these taxes can result in grave legal penalties, including fines that may prove ruinous, particularly for smaller businesses.
How Can a Modesto, California Corporate Tax Lawyer Help?
The majority of big corporations have accountants, tax lawyers, and other legal/financial specialists on staff to guarantee that they adhere with state and national corporate tax laws.
But if you are the owner of a small corporation in Modesto, chances are you don't have a full-service legal department on your payroll. Thus, if you need help with your corporate taxes, it's essential that you speak with a lawyer in Modesto, California who practices tax law.