Tax Evasion Lawyers in Gilbert
"Tax Evasion" refers to the crime of knowingly failing to pay one's taxes, as required by Arizona law.
One of the most common prevalent tactics of tax evaders in Gilbert, Arizona 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 may also be familiar with the term "tax avoidance." It is critical that you don't confuse this with "tax evasion." Tax avoidance is perfectly legal, and is probably something that every taxpayer does whenever they file, whether they know it or not. It involves employing legal methods to make one's tax liability as small as possible, taking advantages of deductions and other tax breaks.
Penalties for Tax Evasion in Gilbert, Arizona
The federal government and the laws of Arizona impose severe penalties for tax evasion - treating it as an extremely serious crime.
Punishments for evading one's taxes in Gilbert range from paying back taxes plus interest (a relatively mild punishment) all the way up to years in prison, and fines in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Normally, 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 deliberate evasion, as opposed to an honest error in accounting.
However, if the relevant tax authorities are able to demonstrate that a taxpayer in Gilbert, Arizona committed deliberate fraud, in order to evade their legal duty to pay taxes, a tax court is probably going to impose a more severe penalty, which may include jail time, and large financial penalties.
A Gilbert, Arizona Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help
A Gilbert, Arizona 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.
If you find yourself truly accused of tax evasion, and are innocent, you should hire a Gilbert, Arizona 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.