Tax Evasion Lawyers in Batavia

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

Most commonly, people who try to evade their taxes in Batavia, New York 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 intentionally attempting to get out of one's tax liability through unlawful means. Tax avoidance is perfectly legal, and involves utilizing 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 Batavia, New York

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

The penalties for tax evasion in Batavia can range anywhere from small penalties to huge penalties, along with prison sentences of several years.

Usually, an initial offense of tax evasion, if the amount of tax evaded is comparatively small, will not result in jail time or massive fines. This is particularly the case if the government has trouble proving that the failure to pay taxes was the result of intentional evasion, as opposed to an honest error in accounting.

But if the government is able to definitively show that a defendant in Batavia, New York 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 Batavia, New York Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

A Batavia, New York attorney who concentrates in tax law can help ensure that you are in conformity with all applicable tax laws, making an accusation of tax evasion less likely.

In the unfortunate event that you're really charged with tax evasion, it's essential that you hire a reliable tax attorney in Batavia, New York. 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.