Tax Evasion Lawyers in Sabattus
Within Maine "tax evasion" is the crime of failing to pay the taxes that they owe.
Most commonly, people who try to evade their taxes in Sabattus, Maine will take steps to hide their assets and income, or transferring their property to other legal entities in a fraudulent manner.
You may also be acquainted with the term "tax avoidance." It is crucial that you don't confuse this with "tax evasion." Tax avoidance is perfectly legal, and is probably something that every taxpayer does whenever they file, whether they know it or not. It involves employing legal methods to make one's tax liability as small as possible, taking advantages of deductions and other tax breaks.
Penalties for Tax Evasion in Sabattus, Maine
Under the laws of Maine, as well as federal law, tax evasion is a very egregious criminal offense.
Punishments for evading one's taxes in Sabattus range from paying back taxes plus interest (a relatively mild punishment) all the way up to years in prison, and penalties in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
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 particularly true if the prosecution can't definitively prove that that the defendant's failure to pay taxes was intentional, as opposed to an honest mistake.
However, if the relevant tax authorities are able to demonstrate that a taxpayer in Sabattus, Maine committed intentional fraud, in order to evade their legal duty to pay taxes, a tax court is probably going to impose a more severe penalty, which may include jail time, and large financial penalties.
A Sabattus, Maine Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help
A tax attorney in Sabattus, Maine can ensure that you meet your tax liabilities, which will make an audit, or charge of tax evasion, less likely. Sometimes, it's challenging to determine clearly what one's tax liability is, and a tax attorney can help.
If the government really charges you with tax evasion, it cannot be stressed enough that you need the assistance of a seasoned Sabattus, Maine 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.