Tax Evasion Lawyers in Collier County

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

Most frequently, people who try to evade their taxes in Collier County, 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 intentionally 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 Collier County, Florida

The federal government and the laws of Florida impose severe penalties for tax evasion - treating it as an extremely serious crime.

Tax evaders in Collier County can be punished by multi-year prison sentences, as well as six-figure fines. Of course, there is a wide range of punishments available, with the ones just mentioned representing the most severe options available.

Most often, tax evasion - if it's a first offense and the tax liability is small - will not be cause for huge fines or imprisonment. This is especially true if the prosecution can't definitively prove that that the defendant's failure to pay taxes was purposeful, as opposed to an honest mistake.

However, if the relevant tax authorities are able to demonstrate that a taxpayer in Collier County, Florida committed purposeful fraud, in order to evade their legal duty to pay taxes, a tax court is probably going to impose a more severe penalty, which may include jail time, and large financial penalties.

A Collier County, Florida Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

Tax lawyers in Collier County, Florida can help anyone from an individual to a big business pay their taxes more easily, and comply with federal and local tax laws.

If you find yourself truly accused of tax evasion, and are innocent, you should hire a Collier County, Florida attorney with experience practicing tax law, as soon as possible. Your tax attorney can help you defend yourself against the charges, ensuring that you have a good chance at being acquitted.