Tax Evasion Lawyers in Norwalk

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

Most commonly, people who try to evade their taxes in Norwalk, Connecticut will take steps to hide their assets and income, or transferring their property to other legal entities in a fraudulent manner.

"Tax evasion" should not be confused with "tax avoidance." Tax evasion is the act of deliberately 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 Norwalk, Connecticut

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

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

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 intentional, as opposed to an honest mistake.

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

Attorneys in Norwalk, Connecticut 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 imperative that you hire a reliable tax attorney in Norwalk, Connecticut. 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.