Tax Evasion Lawyers in Valparaiso

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

Most often, people who try to evade their taxes in Valparaiso, Florida will take steps to conceal their assets and income, or transferring their property to other legal entities in a fraudulent manner.

You should not confuse "tax evasion" with "tax avoidance." Tax evasion is illegal, and involves deliberately failing to pay one's taxes which they lawfully owe. Tax avoidance, on the other hand, is legal, and involves using legal strategies to lower one's legal tax liability. For example, strategically using deductions and tax credits to lower the amount of money you are legally obliged to pay, is an example of tax avoidance, assuming you actually pay your tax bill, whatever it ends up being.

Penalties for Tax Evasion in Valparaiso, Florida

Under federal and state law, including the laws of Florida, tax evasion is a very severe crime.

In Valparaiso, the punishments for tax evasion can range from a court order to pay back taxes, plus a small fine, and range all the way up to fines in the tens (or hundreds) of thousands of dollars, and imprisonment.

However, the punishments for tax evasion, especially first offenses involving relatively small amounts of money, is not usually so severe, especially 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 prove that a Valparaiso, Florida taxpayer engaged in fraud, and knowingly failed to pay their taxes, a tax court will probably impose the most severe punishment that's allowed by law. This can easily involve jail time.

A Valparaiso, Florida Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

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

In the unfortunate event that you're actually charged with tax evasion, it's essential that you hire a qualified tax attorney in Valparaiso, Florida. 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.