Tax Evasion Lawyers in Villa Park

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

Usually, the strategy employed by tax evaders in Villa Park, 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 Villa Park, California

Under federal and state law, including the laws of California, tax evasion is a very severe crime.

The penalties for tax evasion in Villa Park can range anywhere from small fines to huge fines, along with prison sentences of several years.

Usually, 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.

But if the government is able to definitively show that a defendant in Villa Park, California intentionally engaged in fraud to get out of paying taxes, a tax court is highly unlikely to show any leniency, and may well sentence the defendant to prison time.

A Villa Park, California Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

A Villa Park, California attorney who specializes in tax law can help ensure that you are in compliance with all applicable tax laws, making an accusation of tax evasion less likely.

In the unfortunate event that you're really charged with tax evasion, it's crucial that you hire a reliable tax attorney in Villa Park, 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.