Tax Evasion Lawyers in Reno
Tax Evasion in Nevada is a criminal act in which someone purposely fails to pay their taxes.
Most often, people who try to evade their taxes in Reno, Nevada will take steps to conceal 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 purposely attempting to get out of one's tax liability through illegal 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 Reno, Nevada
The federal government and the laws of Nevada impose severe penalties for tax evasion - treating it as an extremely serious crime.
Tax evaders in Reno can be punished by multi-year prison sentences, as well as six-figure fines. Of course, there is a wide range of punishments available, with the ones just mentioned representing the most severe options available.
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 prove that a Reno, Nevada taxpayer engaged in fraud, and knowingly failed to pay their taxes, a tax court will probably impose the most severe punishment that's allowed by law. This can easily involve jail time.
A Reno, Nevada Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help
A tax attorney in Reno, Nevada 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 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 crucial that you hire a qualified tax attorney in Reno, Nevada. 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.