Tax Evasion Lawyers in Homewood

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

One of the most common frequent tactics of tax evaders in Homewood, Alabama is to attempt to make it appear to an outside observer that their tax liability is lower than it really 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 Homewood, Alabama

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

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

In most cases, especially when the amount of taxes evaded is small, and it's a first offense, the punishment will normally be fairly mild. It will normally 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 intentional.

But if the government is able to definitively show that a defendant in Homewood, Alabama intentionally engaged in fraud to get out of paying taxes, a tax court is very unlikely to show any leniency, and may well sentence the defendant to prison time.

A Homewood, Alabama Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

A tax attorney in Homewood, Alabama can ensure that you meet your tax liabilities, which will make an audit, or charge of tax evasion, less likely. Sometimes, it's challenging to determine clearly what one's tax liability is, and a tax attorney can help.

Of course, if you've really been accused of tax evasion, you should retain a Homewood, Alabama tax lawyer immediately. If you are innocent, a tax attorney will make sure you have the best chance possible at being acquitted.