Tax Evasion Lawyers in Brandon
"Tax Evasion" refers to the crime of knowingly failing to pay one's taxes, as required by Florida law.
Most frequently, people who try to evade their taxes in Brandon, Florida will take steps to harbor 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 knowingly attempting to get out of one's tax liability through prohibited 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 Brandon, Florida
The federal government and the laws of Florida impose severe penalties for tax evasion - treating it as an extremely serious crime.
Punishments for evading one's taxes in Brandon 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 normally 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 Brandon, Florida knowingly attempted to harbor 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 Brandon, Florida Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help
A Brandon, Florida 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.
If the government truly charges you with tax evasion, it cannot be stressed enough that you need the assistance of a knowledgeable Brandon, Florida tax attorney. Assuming you're actually innocent, your tax lawyer can help you prepare a defense, and ensure that you have a good chance of being found not guilty. On top of that, they can make getting through such a difficult time much easier.