Tax Evasion Lawyers in Smithfield

In Rhode Island, "tax evasion" is a crime that involves a deliberate failure to pay the taxes that the taxpayer legally owes.

One of the most common common tactics of tax evaders in Smithfield, Rhode Island is to attempt to make it appear to an outside observer that their tax liability is lower than it actually is, such as by concealing income, fraudulently transferring property, and others.

You may also be familiar with the term "tax avoidance." It is crucial that you don't confuse this with "tax evasion." Tax avoidance is perfectly legal, and is probably something that every taxpayer does whenever they file, whether they know it or not. It involves employing legal methods to make one's tax liability as small as possible, taking advantages of deductions and other tax breaks.

Penalties for Tax Evasion in Smithfield, Rhode Island

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

Punishments for evading one's taxes in Smithfield range from paying back taxes plus interest (a relatively mild punishment) all the way up to years in prison, and fines 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 especially true if the prosecution can't definitively prove that that the defendant's failure to pay taxes was purposeful, as opposed to an honest mistake.

However, if it can be clearly proven that a person or corporation in Smithfield, Rhode Island purposely attempted to conceal income or assets for the purpose of getting out of taxes, a court will probably throw the book at them, so to speak. This can mean jail sentences measured in years, and fines in the six or seven figures.

A Smithfield, Rhode Island Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

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

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