Tax Evasion Lawyers in Sunnyvale
"Tax Evasion" refers to the crime of intentionally failing to pay one's taxes, as required by California law.
Typically, the strategy employed by tax evaders in Sunnyvale, 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 Sunnyvale, California
Under federal and state law, including the laws of California, tax evasion is a very egregious crime.
In Sunnyvale, 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.
Typically, an initial offense of tax evasion, if the amount of tax evaded is comparatively small, will not result in jail time or massive fines. This is particularly the case if the government has trouble proving that the failure to pay taxes was the result of intentional evasion, as opposed to an honest error in accounting.
However, if the relevant tax authorities are able to demonstrate that a taxpayer in Sunnyvale, California committed intentional 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 Sunnyvale, California Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help
Tax lawyers in Sunnyvale, California can help anyone from an individual to a big business pay their taxes more quickly, and adhere with federal and local tax laws.
If you find yourself actually accused of tax evasion, and are innocent, you should hire a Sunnyvale, California attorney with expertise practicing tax law, as soon as possible. Your tax attorney can help you defend yourself against the charges, ensuring that you have a good chance at being acquitted.