Fort Lauderdale Payroll Tax Attorney

Fort Lauderdale Payroll Tax Lawyer

Payroll taxes are an important responsibility that employers and business owners have, as part of the many obligations of operating a business. Employers must meet frequent deadlines, paying a portion of their payroll to cover taxes like income and unemployment taxes. Failing to make these deposits accurately and on time can lead to serious fines and penalties. With the help of a Fort Lauderdale payroll tax attorney, employers can feel more confident when filing their taxes.

These taxes need to be paid to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Florida Department of Revenue (DOR), and being unaware of your tax obligations doesn’t exempt you from paying them. The right attorney helps you make the right payments and helps you address any disputes with either agency. At TaxSmith, LLC, we have spent decades helping business taxpayers meet their obligations. Whether you need tax preparation or audit support, we can help.

About seven miles from the city center of Fort Lauderdale, there is an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center Office located at 1248 N. University Drive in Plantation. Our team can help you prepare for a meeting with IRS agents or represent your needs in negotiations.

Payroll Tax Violations in Fort Lauderdale

In Florida, the IRS collected over $198 billion from individual income withholdings and Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes and over $17.9 billion in business income taxes in 2024. Violations involving payroll taxes can occur whether you are a new business or an established company, and are especially likely when employers are unaware of their evolving responsibilities. Some common violations include:

1. Employee misclassification: Employers are not responsible for paying certain taxes for their independent contractors, but are responsible for paying for their employees. Employers that deliberately misclassify employees as contractors to lower their tax liability commit a violation. It’s important to ensure you understand the definition of an independent contractor.
2. Late deposits: Employers are responsible for payroll deposits frequently, although the exact frequency depends on the business and payroll size. The IRS assessed nearly 2.3 million failure to pay penalties for employment taxes in 2024, adding up to more than $3.4 billion. Employers have to be aware of the deposit schedules that apply to their payroll taxes.
3. Not paying state taxes: Florida doesn’t have an individual income tax, but it does have a state corporate income tax. Employers have to be aware of their DOR tax obligations as well as their IRS obligations.
4. Math errors: Improperly calculating payroll taxes can cause issues with the IRS or DOR, such as not taking deductions or failing to add up gross wages.

These violations can cause employers to face fines, and in more serious cases, lead to criminal charges. If you are uncertain of your tax obligations or believe you have made a mistake, you need to hire a payroll tax attorney to determine your options to address the issue. An attorney may be able to help mitigate the penalties and other consequences.

What Are Payroll Tax Obligations in Fort Lauderdale?

Payroll taxes are a percentage of your payroll, paid to the DOR and IRS. These taxes and their percentages may include:

• The employer half of FICA taxes
• Federal Unemployment Insurance Taxes (FUTA)
• Federal corporate income taxes, which are determined based on the type of business and the size of the payroll
• State corporate income taxes
• State reemployment taxes, or unemployment taxes

Percentages and obligations can change, and an employer has to be aware of their new responsibilities when that happens. Payroll tax attorneys remain on top of these state and federal legal changes, helping business owners to be aware of how their obligations are affected.

FAQs About Fort Lauderdale Payroll Tax Law

How Much Does a Payroll Tax Attorney Cost in Florida?

While the average cost of a tax attorney in Florida is $389 per hour, a payroll tax attorney may have different fee structures. The cost of a payroll tax attorney will vary based on factors such as their experience and the tax services needed. Many employers may hire a payroll tax attorney for tax preparation and filing. Tax preparation has lower costs than if a payroll tax attorney helps negotiate or litigate disputes with the IRS.

Is It Worth It to Hire a Payroll Tax Attorney?

There are several benefits to an employer in hiring a payroll tax attorney, including minimizing the risks or errors that can cost a lot of money, and limiting the time spent and the stress you experience managing payroll taxes yourself. Payroll taxes have to be filed frequently, and an attorney can help you understand and meet these deadlines. An attorney can also represent your interests if there is an issue with your payroll taxes that leads to an audit.

What Are Employer Payroll Taxes in Florida?

Employer payroll taxes in Florida include the employer’s half of FICA taxes, the federal unemployment tax, federal corporation income taxes, Florida reemployment tax, and Florida corporate income taxes.

Employer payroll taxes can also include the employee’s half of FICA taxes, which is deducted from the employee’s paycheck. However, if the employer doesn’t pay this tax, the employee is responsible for paying it.

Can an Employer Deduct Money From an Employee’s Paycheck in Florida?

Yes, an employer can deduct money from an employee’s paycheck in Florida if it is a legal deduction. This includes deducting the employee’s half of FICA taxes and state and federal unemployment taxes. An employee can also deduct money from a paycheck if they were ordered to by a court. Other deductions may be illegal deductions. Deductions for non-tax reasons that are not ordered by the court have to be agreed to by the employer and the employee.

TaxSmith, LLC – Seasoned Fort Lauderdale Payroll Tax Lawyer

At TaxSmith, LLC, we are proud to provide representation for the businesses that support our communities in southern Florida. Business owners have a lot of responsibilities every day, and our firm can help you manage some of these. Whether you are facing a payroll tax violation or want to avoid future issues, our firm can help. Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation and see what we can do for you.

Serving Fort Lauderdale and the Broward County Community

If you’re dealing with mounting tax liabilities, audit proceedings, or collection enforcement in Fort Lauderdale or throughout Broward County, our skilled tax attorney is committed to defending your rights and securing your financial stability. We understand how quickly tax issues can escalate and the pressure you feel when facing levy threats, penalty assessments, or demands for immediate payment.

Operating throughout the Fort Lauderdale metropolitan area, TaxSmith LLC combines deep expertise in federal tax law with thorough understanding of Florida’s tax landscape. Attorney Angie Smith has championed tax resolution cases for clients across Broward County and beyond, delivering personalized legal representation for taxpayers confronting everything from routine compliance matters to high-stakes tax controversies.

Whether you’re behind on tax filings, challenging an audit determination, or seeking to resolve years of accumulated tax debt, working with a Fort Lauderdale tax attorney who understands both the technical aspects of tax law and the human impact of these challenges can mean the difference between financial recovery and devastating consequences.