Corporate Tax Lawyers in Chesterfield
In Chesterfield, Missouri, a "corporation" is an entity that is, under the law, distinct from any of its owners. Basically, this means that the people who own a corporation, and the corporation itself, are distinct "persons."
This system is sometimes called "corporate personhood" by Missouri lawyers. It means, in simple terms, that the law treats a corporation just as it would treat a human being - having most of the legal rights and duties that also apply to individuals.
As a prime example, corporations have to pay income taxes, just as a person would.
Corporate Tax Rate in Chesterfield, Missouri
Every profit-earning corporation in the U.S. must, legally, pay the federal corporate income tax. Most states further have their own corporate income tax, which corporations located in Chesterfield, Missouri have to remit.
At the federal level, and in some 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 $18.3 million per year. Corporations earning less than $50,000 a year pay a 15% corporate tax rate, and there are a few tax brackets in between. For comparison, the federal income tax for individuals maxes out at 33%.
Likewise, chances are good that the corporate tax rate in Missouri are different from individual income taxes. However, many states feel that their economies would be best served by attracting as many businesses as possible. For that reasons, in a large number of states, the corporate income tax rate is substantially lower than the individual rate.
Whatever their legal tax rate, all corporations in Chesterfield, Missouri are required to comply with state and federal income tax laws. Failure to pay income tax can be punished by massive fines, which can sometimes prove financially ruinous.
How Can a Chesterfield, Missouri Corporate Tax Lawyer Help?
Many major corporations employ tax lawyers full time, to ensure that they are in compliance with tax laws, and find legal means to reduce their tax liability.
Of course, smaller companies in Chesterfield can't afford to have full-time legal and accounting departments on their payroll. Accordingly, if your business is organized as a corporation, and has an issue with its taxes, it's necessary that you contact a Chesterfield, Missouri tax attorney as soon as possible.