Tax Evasion Lawyers in Petal

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

Usually, tax evasion is accompanied by an attempt to make it appear to the government of Petal, 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 using 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 obligations to pay taxes.

Penalties for Tax Evasion in Petal, Mississippi

Under federal and state law, including the laws of Mississippi, tax evasion is a very serious crime.

In Petal, tax evasion can result in anything from a relatively small fine, and a court order to pay any back taxes as well as interest, all the way up to financial penalties in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, as well as jail time.

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 deliberate, as opposed to an honest mistake.

On the other hand, if the prosecution can show that a Petal, Mississippi taxpayer engaged in fraud, and knowingly failed to pay their taxes, a tax court will probably impose the most severe punishment that's authorized by law. This can easily involve jail time.

A Petal, Mississippi Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

A tax attorney in Petal, Mississippi 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 clearly what one's tax liability is, and a tax attorney can help.

In the unfortunate event that you're really charged with tax evasion, it's critical that you hire a reliable tax attorney in Petal, 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.