Tax Evasion Lawyers in Gaithersburg
In Maryland "tax evasion" is the crime of failing to pay the taxes that they owe.
Most commonly, people who try to evade their taxes in Gaithersburg, Maryland will take steps to hide their assets and income, or transferring their property to other legal entities in a fraudulent manner.
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 using 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 Gaithersburg, Maryland
Under the laws of Maryland, as well as federal law, tax evasion is a very severe criminal offense.
Tax evaders in Gaithersburg can be punished by multi-year prison sentences, as well as six-figure fines. Of course, there is a wide range of punishments available, with the ones just mentioned representing the most severe options available.
Most often, tax evasion - if it's a first offense and the tax liability is small - will not be cause for huge fines or imprisonment. This is especially true if the prosecution can't definitively prove that that the defendant's failure to pay taxes was purposeful, as opposed to an honest mistake.
However, if it can be clearly proven that a person or corporation in Gaithersburg, Maryland purposely attempted to hide 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 Gaithersburg, Maryland Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help
Attorneys in Gaithersburg, Maryland who practice tax law can help you stay in compliance with your tax obligations. This is a good way to ensure that you won't be suspected of tax evasion in the first place.
Of course, if you've really been accused of tax evasion, you should retain a Gaithersburg, Maryland tax lawyer immediately. If you are innocent, a tax attorney will make sure you have the best chance possible at being acquitted.