Tax Evasion Lawyers in Calistoga

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

Usually, the strategy employed by tax evaders in Calistoga, California is to try and make it look like they have less taxable income than they actually do. This can be done by failing to report income, concealing it, or fraudulently transferring property.

"Tax evasion" should not be confused with "tax avoidance." Tax evasion is the act of purposely attempting to get out of one's tax liability through unlawful means. Tax avoidance is perfectly legal, and involves utilizing legal strategies (such as taking advantage of deductions and tax credits) to reduce one's legal tax liability. However, someone engaging in tax avoidance typically intends to pay whatever they end up owing, even as they try to reduce the amount they owe.

Penalties for Tax Evasion in Calistoga, California

Under the laws of California, as well as federal law, tax evasion is a very significant criminal offense.

Punishments for evading one's taxes in Calistoga range from paying back taxes plus interest (a relatively mild punishment) all the way up to years in prison, and penalties in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Most often, tax evasion - if it's a first offense and the tax liability is small - will not be cause for huge fines or imprisonment. This is particularly true if the prosecution can't definitively prove that that the defendant's failure to pay taxes was willful, as opposed to an honest mistake.

But if the government is able to definitively show that a defendant in Calistoga, California 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 Calistoga, California Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

Attorneys in Calistoga, California who practice tax law can help you stay in conformity with your tax commitments. This is a good way to confirm that you won't be suspected of tax evasion in the first place.

In the unfortunate event that you're really charged with tax evasion, it's crucial that you hire a reliable tax attorney in Calistoga, California. If you are actually innocent, your tax attorney can help make sure that you have the best chance you can of being found not guilty.