Tax Evasion Lawyers in Kihei
"Tax Evasion" refers to the crime of intentionally failing to pay one's taxes, as required by Hawaii law.
There are a few strategies that tax evaders use in Kihei, Hawaii. One of the most typical 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 harbor 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 intentionally attempting to get out of one's tax liability through prohibited 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 Kihei, Hawaii
Under the laws of Hawaii, as well as federal law, tax evasion is a very significant criminal offense.
Punishments for evading one's taxes in Kihei 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.
However, the punishments for tax evasion, particularly first offenses involving relatively small amounts of money, is not typically so severe, particularly when it looks like the failure to pay taxes was the result of an honest mistake, rather than deliberate fraud.
But if the government is able to definitively establish that a defendant in Kihei, Hawaii intentionally engaged in fraud to get out of paying taxes, a tax court is very unlikely to show any leniency, and may well sentence the defendant to prison time.
A Kihei, Hawaii Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help
A tax attorney in Kihei, Hawaii 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.
If you find yourself truly accused of tax evasion, and are innocent, you should hire a Kihei, Hawaii attorney with expertise practicing tax law, as soon as possible. Your tax attorney can help you defend yourself against the charges, ensuring that you have a good chance at being acquitted.