Tax Evasion Lawyers in Gustine

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

Usually, the strategy employed by tax evaders in Gustine, 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 willfully attempting to get out of one's tax liability through unlawful means. Tax avoidance is perfectly legal, and involves utilizing 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 Gustine, California

The laws of the federal government, as well as California take tax evasion extremely seriously, making it a crime.

Tax evaders in Gustine can be punished by multi-year prison sentences, as well as six-figure fines. Of course, there is a wide range of penalties available, with the ones just mentioned representing the most severe options available.

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

But, if the government can prove that a defendant in Gustine, California willfully concealed income, in order to get out of paying taxes, a court will most likely impose the heaviest penalties allowed by law, including enormous fines, and several years in prison.

A Gustine, California Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

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

In the unfortunate event that you're really charged with tax evasion, it's important that you hire a reliable tax attorney in Gustine, California. If you are actually innocent, your tax attorney can help make sure that you have the best chance you can of being found not guilty.