Tax Evasion Lawyers in Dover
"Tax Evasion" refers to the crime of willfully failing to pay one's taxes, as required by Delaware law.
Most commonly, people who try to evade their taxes in Dover, Delaware will take steps to hide 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 willfully attempting to get out of one's tax liability through unlawful means. Tax avoidance is perfectly legal, and involves utilizing 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 Dover, Delaware
Under the laws of Delaware, as well as federal law, tax evasion is a very significant criminal offense.
Tax evaders in Dover 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 normally 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 show that a Dover, Delaware taxpayer engaged in fraud, and knowingly failed to pay their taxes, a tax court will probably impose the most grave punishment that's authorized by law. This can easily involve jail time.
A Dover, Delaware Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help
A Dover, Delaware attorney who concentrates in tax law can help ensure that you are in conformity 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 important that you hire a reliable tax attorney in Dover, Delaware. 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.