Tax Evasion Lawyers in Shelburne

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 Shelburne, 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 Shelburne, Vermont

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

In Shelburne, 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.

However, the punishments for tax evasion, especially first offenses involving relatively small amounts of money, is not normally so severe, especially when it looks like the failure to pay taxes was the result of an honest mistake, rather than deliberate fraud.

However, if it can be clearly proven that a person or corporation in Shelburne, Vermont purposely attempted to hide 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 Shelburne, Vermont Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

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

If you find yourself really accused of tax evasion, and are innocent, you should hire a Shelburne, Vermont attorney with experience practicing tax law, as soon as possible. Your tax attorney can help you defend yourself against the charges, ensuring that you have a good chance at being acquitted.