Tax Evasion Lawyers in Jackson
Tax Evasion in Mississippi is a criminal act in which someone deliberately fails to pay their taxes.
Typically, tax evasion is accompanied by an attempt to make it appear to the government of Jackson, Mississippi 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.
It's important not to confuse "tax avoidance" and "tax evasion." They are two different things, but some people mistakenly use them interchangeably. Tax avoidance involves utilizing legal methods, such as tax deductions and exemptions, in a strategic manner, for the purpose of reducing one's tax liability. Tax avoidance is perfectly legal. Tax evasion involves fraud, and a deliberate attempt to avoid meeting one's legal commitments to pay taxes.
Penalties for Tax Evasion in Jackson, Mississippi
The federal government and the laws of Mississippi impose grave penalties for tax evasion - treating it as an extremely serious crime.
In Jackson, the penalties for tax evasion can range from a court order to pay back taxes, plus a small fine, and range all the way up to penalties in the tens (or hundreds) of thousands of dollars, and imprisonment.
In most cases, especially when the amount of taxes evaded is small, and it's a first offense, the punishment will usually be fairly mild. It will usually 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 willful.
But if the government is able to definitively prove that a defendant in Jackson, Mississippi intentionally engaged in fraud to get out of paying taxes, a tax court is very unlikely to show any leniency, and may well sentence the defendant to prison time.
A Jackson, Mississippi Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help
A tax attorney in Jackson, Mississippi 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 exactly what one's tax liability is, and a tax attorney can help.
In the unfortunate event that you're actually charged with tax evasion, it's imperative that you hire a qualified tax attorney in Jackson, Mississippi. 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.