Tax Evasion Lawyers in San Francisco
"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 San Francisco, 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 using 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 obligations to pay taxes.
Penalties for Tax Evasion in San Francisco, California
Both federal law and the law of California treat tax evasion as a serious criminal offense.
Tax evaders in San Francisco can be punished by multi-year prison sentences, as well as six-figure fines. Of course, there is a wide range of punishments available, with the ones just mentioned representing the most severe options available.
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.
However, if the relevant tax authorities are able to demonstrate that a taxpayer in San Francisco, California committed purposeful 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 San Francisco, California Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help
Tax lawyers in San Francisco, 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 a San Francisco, California tax lawyer immediately. If you are innocent, a tax attorney will make sure you have the best chance possible at being acquitted.