Tax Evasion Lawyers in Fairhope

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

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

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 utilizing 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 Fairhope, Alabama

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

In Fairhope, 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.

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

On the other hand, if the prosecution can establish that a Fairhope, Alabama taxpayer engaged in fraud, and knowingly failed to pay their taxes, a tax court will probably impose the most grave punishment that's permitted by law. This can easily involve jail time.

A Fairhope, Alabama Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

Tax lawyers in Fairhope, Alabama can help anyone from an individual to a big business pay their taxes more quickly, and adhere with federal and local tax laws.

However, if you're truly accused of tax evasion, you will need a Fairhope, Alabama tax attorney more than ever. If you are, in fact, innocent, a tax attorney can give you the best possible chance of being found not guilty.