Tax Evasion Lawyers in Tempe
"Tax Evasion" refers to the crime of willfully failing to pay one's taxes, as required by Arizona law.
One of the most common common tactics of tax evaders in Tempe, Arizona is to attempt to make it appear to an outside observer that their tax liability is lower than it actually is, such as by concealing income, fraudulently transferring property, and others.
You may also be familiar with the term "tax avoidance." It is necessary 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 Tempe, Arizona
The laws of the federal government, as well as Arizona take tax evasion very seriously, making it a crime.
In Tempe, 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.
Typically, 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 purposeful evasion, as opposed to an honest error in accounting.
But if the government is able to definitively prove that a defendant in Tempe, Arizona intentionally engaged in fraud to get out of paying taxes, a tax court is highly unlikely to show any leniency, and may well sentence the defendant to prison time.
A Tempe, Arizona Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help
An attorney in Tempe, Arizona specializing in tax law can help you comply with all the tax laws that apply to you, which makes it very unlikely that you'll ever be accused of tax evasion in the first place.
Of course, if you've actually been accused of tax evasion, you should contact a Tempe, Arizona tax lawyer immediately. If you are innocent, a tax attorney will make sure you have the best chance possible at being acquitted.