Tax Evasion Lawyers in Grand Rapids
Within Michigan "tax evasion" is the crime of failing to pay the taxes that they owe.
There are a few strategies that tax evaders use in Grand Rapids, Michigan. One of the most frequent tactics is to make it appear that the taxpayer has less taxable income than they actually do. There are a wide number of ways to hide income for the purpose of evading one's tax liability, but all of them are illegal.
"Tax evasion" should be distinguished from "tax avoidance." Tax evasion is the unlawful 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 Grand Rapids, Michigan
Both federal law and the law of Michigan treat tax evasion as a severe criminal offense.
The penalties for tax evasion in Grand Rapids can range anywhere from small penalties to huge penalties, along with prison sentences of several years.
In most cases, especially when the amount of taxes evaded is small, and it's a first offense, the punishment will normally be fairly mild. It will normally result in an order to pay the taxes the defendant owes, plus a small financial penalty. This is especially likely when it cannot be proven that the failure to pay taxes was intentional.
However, if it can be clearly proven that a person or corporation in Grand Rapids, Michigan willfully 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 Grand Rapids, Michigan Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help
Tax lawyers in Grand Rapids, Michigan can help anyone from an individual to a big business pay their taxes more quickly, and adhere with federal and local tax laws.
In the unfortunate event that you're really charged with tax evasion, it's important that you hire a reliable tax attorney in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 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.