Tax Evasion Lawyers in Greene County

Tax Evasion in Missouri is a criminal act in which someone knowingly fails to pay their taxes.

Normally, tax evasion is accompanied by an attempt to make it appear to the government of Greene County, Missouri that one's tax liability is lower than it actually is. This can include concealing income, making fraudulent transfers of property, and other illegal activities.

"Tax evasion" should not be confused with "tax avoidance." Tax evasion is the act of knowingly attempting to get out of one's tax liability through prohibited means. Tax avoidance is perfectly legal, and involves using legal strategies (such as taking advantage of deductions and tax credits) to reduce one's legal tax liability. However, someone engaging in tax avoidance typically intends to pay whatever they end up owing, even as they try to reduce the amount they owe.

Penalties for Tax Evasion in Greene County, Missouri

The federal government and the laws of Missouri impose severe penalties for tax evasion - treating it as an extremely serious crime.

Punishments for evading one's taxes in Greene County 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.

In the majority of tax evasion cases, however, the punishments are not so severe. This is especially likely in first offenses, when the amount of money involved is fairly small. Minor punishments for tax evasion normally mean a small fine, on top of an order to pay whatever taxes the taxpayer owes. A minor punishment is most likely when the government has trouble proving that fraud was involved, as opposed to an honest accounting error.

But, if the government can prove that a defendant in Greene County, Missouri knowingly concealed income, in order to get out of paying taxes, a court will most likely impose the heaviest penalties allowed by law, including enormous fines, and several years in prison.

A Greene County, Missouri Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

A tax attorney in Greene County, Missouri can ensure that you meet your tax liabilities, which will make an audit, or charge of tax evasion, less likely. Sometimes, it's difficult to determine precisely what one's tax liability is, and a tax attorney can help.

In the unfortunate event that you're truly charged with tax evasion, it's critical that you hire a knowledgeable tax attorney in Greene County, Missouri. 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.