Tax Evasion Lawyers in Rutland

Tax evasion is a crime in Vermont. Tax evasion involves purposely failing to pay one's taxes.

Usually, tax evasion is accompanied by an attempt to make it appear to the government of Rutland, Vermont that one's tax liability is lower than it actually is. This can include concealing income, making fraudulent transfers of property, and other illegal activities.

You should not confuse "tax evasion" with "tax avoidance." Tax evasion is illegal, and involves deliberately failing to pay one's taxes which they lawfully owe. Tax avoidance, on the other hand, is legal, and involves using legal strategies to lower one's legal tax liability. For example, strategically using deductions and tax credits to lower the amount of money you are legally obliged to pay, is an example of tax avoidance, assuming you actually pay your tax bill, whatever it ends up being.

Penalties for Tax Evasion in Rutland, Vermont

Under federal and state law, including the laws of Vermont, tax evasion is a very severe crime.

In Rutland, the punishments for tax evasion can range from a court order to pay back taxes, plus a small fine, and range all the way up to fines in the tens (or hundreds) of thousands of dollars, and imprisonment.

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.

On the other hand, if the prosecution can show that a Rutland, Vermont taxpayer engaged in fraud, and knowingly failed to pay their taxes, a tax court will probably impose the most severe punishment that's authorized by law. This can easily involve jail time.

A Rutland, Vermont Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

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

In the unfortunate event that you're really charged with tax evasion, it's crucial that you hire a reliable tax attorney in Rutland, Vermont. 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.