Tax Evasion Lawyers in Clive

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

There are a few strategies that tax evaders use in Clive, Iowa. 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 number 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 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 Clive, Iowa

The federal government and the laws of Iowa impose grave penalties for tax evasion - treating it as an extremely serious crime.

Punishments for evading one's taxes in Clive 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.

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 typically 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.

However, if the relevant tax authorities are able to demonstrate that a taxpayer in Clive, Iowa committed willful 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 Clive, Iowa Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

A tax attorney in Clive, Iowa 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 exactly what one's tax liability is, and a tax attorney can help.

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