Tax Evasion Lawyers in Trumbull
"Tax Evasion" refers to the crime of deliberately failing to pay one's taxes, as required by Connecticut law.
Most often, people who try to evade their taxes in Trumbull, Connecticut will take steps to conceal their assets and income, or transferring their property to other legal entities in a fraudulent manner.
"Tax evasion" should not be confused with "tax avoidance." Tax evasion is the act of deliberately attempting to get out of one's tax liability through illegal means. Tax avoidance is perfectly legal, and involves using legal strategies (such as taking advantage of deductions and tax credits) to reduce one's legal tax liability. However, someone engaging in tax avoidance typically intends to pay whatever they end up owing, even as they try to reduce the amount they owe.
Penalties for Tax Evasion in Trumbull, Connecticut
Under the laws of Connecticut, as well as federal law, tax evasion is a very severe criminal offense.
Punishments for evading one's taxes in Trumbull range from paying back taxes plus interest (a relatively mild punishment) all the way up to years in prison, and fines in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
In the majority of tax evasion cases, however, the punishments are not so severe. This is especially likely in first offenses, when the amount of money involved is fairly small. Minor punishments for tax evasion typically mean a small fine, on top of an order to pay whatever taxes the taxpayer owes. A minor punishment is most likely when the government has trouble proving that fraud was involved, as opposed to an honest accounting error.
However, if it can be clearly proven that a person or corporation in Trumbull, Connecticut deliberately attempted to conceal 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 Trumbull, Connecticut Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help
An attorney in Trumbull, Connecticut specializing in tax law can help you comply with all the tax laws that apply to you, which makes it very unlikely that you'll ever be accused of tax evasion in the first place.
Of course, if you've actually been accused of tax evasion, you should contact a Trumbull, Connecticut tax lawyer immediately. If you are innocent, a tax attorney will make sure you have the best chance possible at being acquitted.