Tax Evasion Lawyers in Augusta
"Tax Evasion" refers to the crime of knowingly failing to pay one's taxes, as required by Georgia law.
Most often, people who try to evade their taxes in Augusta, Georgia will take steps to conceal their assets and income, or transferring their property to other legal entities in a fraudulent manner.
You may also be familiar with the term "tax avoidance." It is critical that you don't confuse this with "tax evasion." Tax avoidance is perfectly legal, and is probably something that every taxpayer does whenever they file, whether they know it or not. It involves employing legal methods to make one's tax liability as small as possible, taking advantages of deductions and other tax breaks.
Penalties for Tax Evasion in Augusta, Georgia
Under the laws of Georgia, as well as federal law, tax evasion is a very serious criminal offense.
In Augusta, 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 an Augusta, Georgia 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 Augusta, Georgia Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help
A tax attorney in Augusta, Georgia can ensure that you meet your tax liabilities, which will make an audit, or charge of tax evasion, less likely. Sometimes, it's difficult to determine exactly what one's tax liability is, and a tax attorney can help.
If the government actually charges you with tax evasion, it cannot be stressed enough that you need the assistance of a good Augusta, Georgia 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.