Tax Evasion Lawyers in Kailua

"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 Kailua, Hawaii. One of the most common tactics is to make it appear that the taxpayer has less taxable income than they actually do. There are a wide variety of ways to conceal 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 illegal 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 Kailua, Hawaii

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

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

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.

However, if it can be clearly proven that a person or corporation in Kailua, Hawaii deliberately attempted to conceal income or assets for the purpose of getting out of taxes, a court will probably throw the book at them, so to speak. This can mean jail sentences measured in years, and fines in the six or seven figures.

A Kailua, Hawaii Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

Attorneys in Kailua, Hawaii who practice tax law can help you stay in compliance with your tax obligations. This is a good way to ensure that you won't be suspected of tax evasion in the first place.

In the unfortunate event that you're actually charged with tax evasion, it's imperative that you hire a qualified tax attorney in Kailua, Hawaii. 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.