Tax Evasion Lawyers in Lakewood
"Tax Evasion" refers to the crime of willfully failing to pay one's taxes, as required by Colorado law.
Normally, the strategy employed by tax evaders in Lakewood, Colorado 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.
You may also be familiar with the term "tax avoidance." It is necessary that you don't confuse this with "tax evasion." Tax avoidance is perfectly legal, and is probably something that every taxpayer does whenever they file, whether they know it or not. It involves employing legal methods to make one's tax liability as small as possible, taking advantages of deductions and other tax breaks.
Penalties for Tax Evasion in Lakewood, Colorado
Both federal law and the law of Colorado treat tax evasion as a significant criminal offense.
The penalties for tax evasion in Lakewood can range anywhere from small fines to huge fines, along with prison sentences of several years.
Normally, 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 deliberate evasion, as opposed to an honest error in accounting.
But if the government is able to definitively establish that a defendant in Lakewood, Colorado 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 Lakewood, Colorado Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help
Attorneys in Lakewood, Colorado who practice tax law can help you stay in compliance with your tax obligations. This is a good way to ensure 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 important that you hire a knowledgeable tax attorney in Lakewood, Colorado. 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.