Tax Evasion Lawyers in Baltimore
In Maryland "tax evasion" is the crime of failing to pay the taxes that they owe.
Most often, people who try to evade their taxes in Baltimore, Maryland 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 Baltimore, Maryland
Under federal and state law, including the laws of Maryland, tax evasion is a very severe crime.
Punishments for evading one's taxes in Baltimore range from paying back taxes plus interest (a relatively mild punishment) all the way up to years in prison, and fines in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
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.
However, if it can be clearly proven that a person or corporation in Baltimore, Maryland deliberately attempted to conceal income or assets for the purpose of getting out of taxes, a court will probably throw the book at them, so to speak. This can mean jail sentences measured in years, and fines in the six or seven figures.
A Baltimore, Maryland Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help
A Baltimore, Maryland 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.
If the government actually charges you with tax evasion, it cannot be stressed enough that you need the assistance of a good Baltimore, Maryland tax attorney. Assuming you're actually innocent, your tax lawyer can help you prepare a defense, and ensure that you have a good chance of being found not guilty. On top of that, they can make getting through such a difficult time much easier.