Tax Evasion Lawyers in Menifee

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

Typically, the strategy employed by tax evaders in Menifee, 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.

It's important not to confuse "tax avoidance" and "tax evasion." They are two different things, but some people mistakenly use them interchangeably. Tax avoidance involves utilizing legal methods, such as tax deductions and exemptions, in a strategic manner, for the purpose of reducing one's tax liability. Tax avoidance is perfectly legal. Tax evasion involves fraud, and a deliberate attempt to avoid meeting one's legal commitments to pay taxes.

Penalties for Tax Evasion in Menifee, California

Under the laws of California, as well as federal law, tax evasion is a very egregious criminal offense.

In Menifee, 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.

However, the punishments for tax evasion, particularly first offenses involving relatively small amounts of money, is not usually 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 is able to definitively prove that a defendant in Menifee, California 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 Menifee, California Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

Attorneys in Menifee, California who practice tax law can help you stay in conformity with your tax commitments. This is a good way to confirm that you won't be suspected of tax evasion in the first place.

In the unfortunate event that you're actually charged with tax evasion, it's crucial that you hire a qualified tax attorney in Menifee, 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.