Tax Evasion Lawyers in San Luis Obispo County

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

Normally, the strategy employed by tax evaders in San Luis Obispo County, 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 San Luis Obispo County, California

Both federal law and the law of California treat tax evasion as a significant criminal offense.

Tax evaders in San Luis Obispo County 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 typically so severe, particularly when it looks like the failure to pay taxes was the result of an honest mistake, rather than deliberate fraud.

However, if it can be clearly proven that a person or corporation in San Luis Obispo County, California deliberately attempted to harbor income or assets for the purpose of getting out of taxes, a court will probably throw the book at them, so to speak. This can mean jail sentences measured in years, and fines in the six or seven figures.

A San Luis Obispo County, California Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

Attorneys in San Luis Obispo County, 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 truly charged with tax evasion, it's imperative that you hire a knowledgeable tax attorney in San Luis Obispo County, 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.