Tax Law in West Palm Beach, FL

Tax law refers to the regulations governing the calculating, filing, and paying of taxes. When handling tax law cases, attorneys may manage taxes at various levels, such as local, state, and federal. The practice of this type of law involves understanding, defending, and resolving issues related to payment or non-payment.

If you hire a qualified , Florida professional to handle your business or personal taxes, you may feel protected from disputes. However, even a misplaced comma or added zero can cause the IRS to believe you owe more than you do. In some instances, accountants might also take deliberate actions that result in legal and financial repercussions.

West Palm Beach residents are not subject to a state personal income tax, because the Florida Constitution bans them. However, you may have to pay some local taxes, which the Palm Beach County Tax Collector will assess. For example, both the city and the county can tax your real and personal property. In fact, depending on its location, your property may fall within multiple taxation districts. In addition, most purchases in West Palm Beach are subject to a 7% sales tax that combines both a state and local rate.

Tax Law Topics to Understand

If you find yourself facing , Florida taxation issues, understanding tax law and how it works can help. Most Americans have only basic knowledge of how the tax systems work, and with good reason. They are complex. Small business owners need to understand tax law and how it impacts their business. Here are some essential tax law topics to get you started.

IRS Audits

An IRS audit is a review of an experienced West Palm Beach, Florida individual’s or an organization’s finances and accounts to ensure accuracy. The audit may also uncover discrepancies business owners were not aware existed.

These are just a few of the things the IRS looks for when conducting an audit:

• Does your lifestyle match your income?
• Are you passing off personal expenses as business expenses?
• Are you overstating any of your business expenses?
• Did you fail to report any business income or did you inflate that income?
• Do your payroll taxes match that of your employees?
• If your business handles a lot of cash,  are you diverting any of this into your own pocket?

If you are about to have your business audited, consider hiring a qualified West Palm Beach tax law attorney. They can help you to navigate the complex process ahead and offer advice as issues arise.

Tax Evasion

Tax evasion refers to any activity an individual or business in , Florida engages in to reduce or avoid their tax liabilities. There are two types of tax evasion: evasion of assessment and evasion of payment.

Evasion of assessment means the taxpayer performed an action with the goal of defeating the assessment of a tax. The under-reporting of taxes is a common example of this. Evasion of payment means that you avoid paying the IRS by hiding money or assets that should become taxed. Here are some examples of tax evasion:

• Keeping a double set of books
• Overstating deductions
• Destroying financial records
• Concealing sources of income
• Filing a false return
• Making false invoices
• Holding property in another person’s name to avoid taxation

If you are found guilty of tax evasion in West Palm Beach, Florida you can face hefty fines, prison time, or both.

Income Tax and Fraud

Income tax fraud is the willful attempt to evade or defraud the IRS and West Palm Beach tax laws. Tax fraud occurs when an individual or business does any of the following:

• Prepares and files a false tax return
• Willfully fails to pay taxes
• Intentionally fails to file an income tax return
• Intentionally fails to report income received
• Makes fraudulent or false claims on the tax return

Since Florida does not assess a state income tax, personal income tax fraud cases in West Palm Beach typically involve federal charges. A conviction can result in individual fines of as much as $100,000 and up to 5 years in prison. However, Florida law also establishes the crime of tax fraud. In most cases, this involves either fraudulent collection of sales tax or corporate income tax evasion.

When Would You Need an Experienced West Palm Beach, Florida Tax Law Attorney?

Facing Legal Issues Regarding Taxes

If you’re under investigation from the IRS or planning a lawsuit against, you will need a qualified , Florida attorney who practices tax law. To illustrate, counsel can help collect the information you need and create a viable defense.

When Starting a Business

There’s more to starting a business in , Florida than selling products or services. You also need to determine the business type and structure. This status, in turn, determines how the business and your earnings get taxed. Choosing the wrong business structure can cost you.

Florida levies a Corporate Income Tax on traditional C corporations in West Palm Beach. For the 2021 tax year, the rate is 3.535%. However, this will increase to 5.5% in 2022. In addition, nearly all city businesses are subject to West Palm Beach Business Taxes. Furthermore, your business must pay property taxes on real estate, furniture, fixtures, and equipment.

If You Have a Taxable Estate

If your estate is worth more than $11.58 million, or $23.16 million if you’re married, your estate might get taxed up to 40% for surpassing that threshold. No one wants a huge portion of their estate going to the IRS instead of their heirs. This is why wealthy people involve tax lawyers in their estate planning process.

According to the Florida Department of Revenue, there is no state tax on West Palm Beach estates. A 2005 change in federal law made the Florida estate tax statute inoperable, even though it is still a valid law. However, if your estate meets the federal value threshold, you may still owe a federal estate tax.

Work with an Experienced Tax Law Lawyer In West Palm Beach, Florida

Facing issues related to tax law can feel overwhelming. No one wants to go head-to-head with the IRS. Experienced , Florida tax law lawyers have the expertise you need. From conducting audits to defending you in court.  We can even help you connect with an attorney across Florida state lines.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!