Tax Evasion Lawyers in South Hadley

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 South Hadley, 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 South Hadley, Massachusetts

Under federal and state law, including the laws of Massachusetts, tax evasion is a very serious crime.

In South Hadley, the punishments for tax evasion can range from a court order to pay back taxes, plus a small fine, and range all the way up to fines in the tens (or hundreds) of thousands of dollars, and imprisonment.

However, the punishments for tax evasion, especially first offenses involving relatively small amounts of money, is not usually so severe, especially 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 prove that a defendant in South Hadley, 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 South Hadley, Massachusetts Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

A South Hadley, Massachusetts attorney who specializes in tax law can help ensure that you are in compliance with all applicable tax laws, making an accusation of tax evasion less likely.

In the unfortunate event that you're actually charged with tax evasion, it's essential that you hire a qualified tax attorney in South Hadley, Massachusetts. 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.