Tax Evasion Lawyers in St. Albans

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

Typically, tax evasion is accompanied by an attempt to make it appear to the government of St. Albans, 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 St. Albans, Vermont

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

In St. Albans, 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.

In most cases, particularly when the amount of taxes evaded is small, and it's a first offense, the punishment will usually be fairly mild. It will usually result in an order to pay the taxes the defendant owes, plus a small financial penalty. This is especially likely when it cannot be proven that the failure to pay taxes was deliberate.

However, if it can be clearly proven that a person or corporation in St. Albans, Vermont 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 St. Albans, Vermont Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

A St. Albans, Vermont attorney who specializes in tax law can help ensure that you are in compliance with all applicable tax laws, making an accusation of tax evasion less likely.

In the unfortunate event that you're actually charged with tax evasion, it's crucial that you hire a qualified tax attorney in St. Albans, 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.