Tax Evasion Lawyers in Billerica
Within Massachusetts "tax evasion" is the crime of failing to pay the taxes that they owe.
Most frequently, people who try to evade their taxes in Billerica, Massachusetts will take steps to harbor 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 prohibited act of trying to hide one's tax liability. Tax avoidance, on the other hand, is perfectly legal, and simply involves utilizing the tax laws strategically, to reduce one's actual tax liability as much as possible.
Penalties for Tax Evasion in Billerica, Massachusetts
Both federal law and the law of Massachusetts treat tax evasion as a significant criminal offense.
The penalties for tax evasion in Billerica can range anywhere from small penalties to huge penalties, along with prison sentences of several years.
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 normally 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.
But, if the government can prove that a defendant in Billerica, Massachusetts 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 Billerica, Massachusetts Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help
An attorney in Billerica, Massachusetts specializing in tax law can help you adhere 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.
However, if you're truly accused of tax evasion, you will need a Billerica, Massachusetts tax attorney more than ever. If you are, in fact, innocent, a tax attorney can give you the best possible chance of being found not guilty.