Tax Evasion Lawyers in Barnstable
In Massachusetts "tax evasion" is the crime of failing to pay the taxes that they owe.
Most often, people who try to evade their taxes in Barnstable, Massachusetts will take steps to conceal their assets and income, or transferring their property to other legal entities in a fraudulent manner.
"Tax evasion" should be distinguished from "tax avoidance." Tax evasion is the illegal act of trying to hide one's tax liability. Tax avoidance, on the other hand, is perfectly legal, and simply involves using the tax laws strategically, to reduce one's actual tax liability as much as possible.
Penalties for Tax Evasion in Barnstable, Massachusetts
Both federal law and the law of Massachusetts treat tax evasion as a serious criminal offense.
The penalties for tax evasion in Barnstable can range anywhere from small fines to huge fines, along with prison sentences of several years.
In most cases, particularly when the amount of taxes evaded is small, and it's a first offense, the punishment will usually be fairly mild. It will usually result in an order to pay the taxes the defendant owes, plus a small financial penalty. This is especially likely when it cannot be proven that the failure to pay taxes was purposeful.
But if the government is able to definitively prove that a defendant in Barnstable, Massachusetts intentionally engaged in fraud to get out of paying taxes, a tax court is highly unlikely to show any leniency, and may well sentence the defendant to prison time.
A Barnstable, Massachusetts Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help
An attorney in Barnstable, Massachusetts specializing in tax law can help you comply with all the tax laws that apply to you, which makes it very unlikely that you'll ever be accused of tax evasion in the first place.
If you find yourself actually accused of tax evasion, and are innocent, you should hire a Barnstable, Massachusetts attorney with experience 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.