Tax Evasion Lawyers in Santa Clarita

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

Typically, the strategy employed by tax evaders in Santa Clarita, 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 Santa Clarita, California

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

Tax evaders in Santa Clarita 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 usually so severe, particularly when it looks like the failure to pay taxes was the result of an honest mistake, rather than deliberate fraud.

On the other hand, if the prosecution can prove that a Santa Clarita, California taxpayer engaged in fraud, and knowingly failed to pay their taxes, a tax court will probably impose the most grave punishment that's allowed by law. This can easily involve jail time.

A Santa Clarita, California Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

Tax lawyers in Santa Clarita, 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 actually charged with tax evasion, it's imperative that you hire a qualified tax attorney in Santa Clarita, 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.