Tax Evasion Lawyers in Smyrna

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

Most often, people who try to evade their taxes in Smyrna, Delaware will take steps to conceal 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 purposely attempting to get out of one's tax liability through illegal 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 Smyrna, Delaware

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

In Smyrna, tax evasion can result in anything from a comparatively small fine, and a court order to pay any back taxes as well as interest, all the way up to financial penalties in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, as well as jail time.

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 prove that a defendant in Smyrna, Delaware 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 Smyrna, Delaware Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

Attorneys in Smyrna, Delaware 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.

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