Tax Evasion Lawyers in Las Cruces

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

Most commonly, people who try to evade their taxes in Las Cruces, New Mexico will take steps to hide their assets and income, or transferring their property to other legal entities in a fraudulent manner.

"Tax evasion" should not be confused with "tax avoidance." Tax evasion is the act of willfully attempting to get out of one's tax liability through unlawful 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 Las Cruces, New Mexico

Under the laws of New Mexico, as well as federal law, tax evasion is a very serious criminal offense.

Punishments for evading one's taxes in Las Cruces 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 usually 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 Las Cruces, New Mexico willfully 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 Las Cruces, New Mexico Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

A tax attorney in Las Cruces, New Mexico 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 important that you hire a reliable tax attorney in Las Cruces, New Mexico. 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.