Tax Evasion Lawyers in Hilo

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

There are a few strategies that tax evaders use in Hilo, Hawaii. One of the most frequent tactics is to make it appear that the taxpayer has less taxable income than they actually do. There are a wide number of ways to hide income for the purpose of evading one's tax liability, but all of them are illegal.

"Tax evasion" should not be confused with "tax avoidance." Tax evasion is the act of deliberately attempting to get out of one's tax liability through unlawful means. Tax avoidance is perfectly legal, and involves utilizing 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 Hilo, Hawaii

Under the laws of Hawaii, as well as federal law, tax evasion is a very egregious criminal offense.

Punishments for evading one's taxes in Hilo range from paying back taxes plus interest (a relatively mild punishment) all the way up to years in prison, and penalties in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

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 particularly true if the prosecution can't definitively prove that that the defendant's failure to pay taxes was intentional, as opposed to an honest mistake.

However, if the relevant tax authorities are able to demonstrate that a taxpayer in Hilo, Hawaii committed intentional 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 Hilo, Hawaii Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

Tax lawyers in Hilo, Hawaii can help anyone from an individual to a big business pay their taxes more quickly, and adhere with federal and local tax laws.

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