Tax Evasion Lawyers in Benton County

"Tax Evasion" refers to the crime of knowingly failing to pay one's taxes, as required by Arkansas law.

One of the most common common tactics of tax evaders in Benton County, Arkansas is to attempt to make it appear to an outside observer that their tax liability is lower than it actually is, such as by concealing income, fraudulently transferring property, and others.

It's important not to confuse "tax avoidance" and "tax evasion." They are two different things, but some people mistakenly use them interchangeably. Tax avoidance involves utilizing legal methods, such as tax deductions and exemptions, in a strategic manner, for the purpose of reducing one's tax liability. Tax avoidance is perfectly legal. Tax evasion involves fraud, and a deliberate attempt to avoid meeting one's legal commitments to pay taxes.

Penalties for Tax Evasion in Benton County, Arkansas

The federal government and the laws of Arkansas impose grave penalties for tax evasion - treating it as an extremely serious crime.

In Benton County, the penalties for tax evasion can range from a court order to pay back taxes, plus a small fine, and range all the way up to penalties in the tens (or hundreds) of thousands of dollars, and imprisonment.

In most cases, especially when the amount of taxes evaded is small, and it's a first offense, the punishment will usually be fairly mild. It will usually result in an order to pay the taxes the defendant owes, plus a small financial penalty. This is especially likely when it cannot be proven that the failure to pay taxes was willful.

But if the government is able to definitively prove that a defendant in Benton County, Arkansas intentionally engaged in fraud to get out of paying taxes, a tax court is very unlikely to show any leniency, and may well sentence the defendant to prison time.

A Benton County, Arkansas Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

A tax attorney in Benton County, Arkansas can ensure that you meet your tax liabilities, which will make an audit, or charge of tax evasion, less likely. Sometimes, it's challenging to determine exactly what one's tax liability is, and a tax attorney can help.

Of course, if you've actually been accused of tax evasion, you should contact a Benton County, Arkansas tax lawyer immediately. If you are innocent, a tax attorney will make sure you have the best chance possible at being acquitted.