Tax Evasion Lawyers in West Paterson

Tax Evasion in New Jersey is a criminal act in which someone intentionally fails to pay their taxes.

Most often, people who try to evade their taxes in West Paterson, New Jersey will take steps to conceal their assets and income, or transferring their property to other legal entities in a fraudulent manner.

"Tax evasion" should be distinguished from "tax avoidance." Tax evasion is the illegal 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 West Paterson, New Jersey

Under federal and state law, including the laws of New Jersey, tax evasion is a very significant crime.

The penalties for tax evasion in West Paterson 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 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.

However, if it can be clearly proven that a person or corporation in West Paterson, New Jersey intentionally attempted to conceal 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 West Paterson, New Jersey Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

An attorney in West Paterson, New Jersey specializing in tax law can help you adhere with all the tax laws that apply to you, which makes it very unlikely that you'll ever be accused of tax evasion in the first place.

Of course, if you've actually been accused of tax evasion, you should contact a West Paterson, New Jersey tax lawyer immediately. If you are innocent, a tax attorney will make sure you have the best chance possible at being acquitted.