Tax Evasion Lawyers in Oelwein

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

There are a few strategies that tax evaders use in Oelwein, 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.

You should not confuse "tax evasion" with "tax avoidance." Tax evasion is illegal, and involves deliberately failing to pay one's taxes which they lawfully owe. Tax avoidance, on the other hand, is legal, and involves utilizing legal strategies to lower one's legal tax liability. For example, strategically using deductions and tax credits to lower the amount of money you are legally obliged to pay, is an example of tax avoidance, assuming you actually pay your tax bill, whatever it ends up being.

Penalties for Tax Evasion in Oelwein, Iowa

Both federal law and the law of Iowa treat tax evasion as a serious criminal offense.

In Oelwein, tax evasion can result in anything from a comparatively small fine, and a court order to pay any back taxes as well as interest, all the way up to financial penalties in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, as well as jail time.

However, the punishments for tax evasion, particularly first offenses involving relatively small amounts of money, is not usually 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 can prove that a defendant in Oelwein, Iowa purposely concealed income, in order to get out of paying taxes, a court will most likely impose the heaviest penalties allowed by law, including enormous fines, and several years in prison.

A Oelwein, Iowa Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

Attorneys in Oelwein, Iowa who practice tax law can help you stay in conformity with your tax commitments. This is a good way to confirm 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 crucial that you hire a qualified tax attorney in Oelwein, Iowa. 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.