Tax Evasion Lawyers in Lafayette

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

Most frequently, people who try to evade their taxes in Lafayette, Georgia will take steps to harbor their assets and income, or transferring their property to other legal entities in a fraudulent manner.

You may also be acquainted with the term "tax avoidance." It is important 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 Lafayette, Georgia

Both federal law and the law of Georgia treat tax evasion as a significant criminal offense.

The penalties for tax evasion in Lafayette can range anywhere from small penalties to huge penalties, along with prison sentences of several years.

In the majority of tax evasion cases, however, the punishments are not so severe. This is particularly 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.

On the other hand, if the prosecution can establish that a Lafayette, Georgia taxpayer engaged in fraud, and knowingly failed to pay their taxes, a tax court will probably impose the most grave punishment that's permitted by law. This can easily involve jail time.

A Lafayette, Georgia Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

A tax attorney in Lafayette, Georgia can ensure that you meet your tax liabilities, which will make an audit, or charge of tax evasion, less likely. Sometimes, it's challenging to determine precisely what one's tax liability is, and a tax attorney can help.

Of course, if you've truly been accused of tax evasion, you should hire a Lafayette, Georgia tax lawyer immediately. If you are innocent, a tax attorney will make sure you have the best chance possible at being acquitted.