Tax Evasion Lawyers in Emeryville
"Tax Evasion" refers to the crime of knowingly failing to pay one's taxes, as required by California law.
Typically, the strategy employed by tax evaders in Emeryville, California is to try and make it look like they have less taxable income than they actually do. This can be done by failing to report income, concealing it, or fraudulently transferring property.
"Tax evasion" should not be confused with "tax avoidance." Tax evasion is the act of knowingly attempting to get out of one's tax liability through illegal means. Tax avoidance is perfectly legal, and involves using legal strategies (such as taking advantage of deductions and tax credits) to reduce one's legal tax liability. However, someone engaging in tax avoidance typically intends to pay whatever they end up owing, even as they try to reduce the amount they owe.
Penalties for Tax Evasion in Emeryville, California
The laws of the federal government, as well as California take tax evasion very seriously, making it a crime.
The penalties for tax evasion in Emeryville can range anywhere from small fines to huge fines, along with prison sentences of several years.
Most often, tax evasion - if it's a first offense and the tax liability is small - will not be cause for huge fines or imprisonment. This is especially true if the prosecution can't definitively prove that that the defendant's failure to pay taxes was deliberate, as opposed to an honest mistake.
On the other hand, if the prosecution can prove that an Emeryville, California taxpayer engaged in fraud, and knowingly failed to pay their taxes, a tax court will probably impose the most severe punishment that's allowed by law. This can easily involve jail time.
A Emeryville, California Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help
Tax lawyers in Emeryville, California can help anyone from an individual to a big business pay their taxes more easily, and comply with federal and local tax laws.
Of course, if you've actually been accused of tax evasion, you should contact an Emeryville, California tax lawyer immediately. If you are innocent, a tax attorney will make sure you have the best chance possible at being acquitted.