Tax Evasion Lawyers in Fort Bragg

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

Usually, the strategy employed by tax evaders in Fort Bragg, 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 willfully attempting to get out of one's tax liability through unlawful means. Tax avoidance is perfectly legal, and involves using 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 Fort Bragg, California

The laws of the federal government, as well as California take tax evasion extremely seriously, making it a crime.

Tax evaders in Fort Bragg can be punished by multi-year prison sentences, as well as six-figure fines. Of course, there is a wide range of punishments available, with the ones just mentioned representing the most severe options available.

Usually, a first offense of tax evasion, if the amount of tax evaded is relatively small, will not result in jail time or massive fines. This is especially the case if the government has trouble proving that the failure to pay taxes was the result of purposeful evasion, as opposed to an honest error in accounting.

But, if the government can prove that a defendant in Fort Bragg, California willfully concealed income, in order to get out of paying taxes, a court will most likely impose the heaviest penalties allowed by law, including enormous fines, and several years in prison.

A Fort Bragg, California Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

Tax lawyers in Fort Bragg, California can help anyone from an individual to a big business pay their taxes more easily, and comply with federal and local tax laws.

However, if you're really accused of tax evasion, you will need a Fort Bragg, California tax attorney more than ever. If you are, in fact, innocent, a tax attorney can give you the best possible chance of being found not guilty.