Tax Evasion Lawyers in Rancho Palos Verdes

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

Typically, the strategy employed by tax evaders in Rancho Palos Verdes, 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.

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 Rancho Palos Verdes, California

Both federal law and the law of California treat tax evasion as a serious criminal offense.

The penalties for tax evasion in Rancho Palos Verdes can range anywhere from small penalties to huge penalties, along with prison sentences of several years.

Typically, an initial offense of tax evasion, if the amount of tax evaded is comparatively small, will not result in jail time or massive fines. This is particularly the case if the government has trouble proving that the failure to pay taxes was the result of intentional evasion, as opposed to an honest error in accounting.

On the other hand, if the prosecution can prove that a Rancho Palos Verdes, California taxpayer engaged in fraud, and knowingly failed to pay their taxes, a tax court will probably impose the most grave punishment that's allowed by law. This can easily involve jail time.

A Rancho Palos Verdes, California Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

Tax lawyers in Rancho Palos Verdes, California can help anyone from an individual to a big business pay their taxes more quickly, and adhere with federal and local tax laws.

However, if you're actually accused of tax evasion, you will need a Rancho Palos Verdes, 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.