Tax Evasion Lawyers in Canastota

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

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

You may also be acquainted with the term "tax avoidance." It is important that you don't confuse this with "tax evasion." Tax avoidance is perfectly legal, and is probably something that every taxpayer does whenever they file, whether they know it or not. It involves employing legal methods to make one's tax liability as small as possible, taking advantages of deductions and other tax breaks.

Penalties for Tax Evasion in Canastota, New York

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

In Canastota, the penalties for tax evasion can range from a court order to pay back taxes, plus a small fine, and range all the way up to penalties in the tens (or hundreds) of thousands of dollars, and imprisonment.

However, the punishments for tax evasion, particularly first offenses involving relatively small amounts of money, is not usually so severe, particularly when it looks like the failure to pay taxes was the result of an honest mistake, rather than deliberate fraud.

On the other hand, if the prosecution can prove that a Canastota, New York taxpayer engaged in fraud, and knowingly failed to pay their taxes, a tax court will probably impose the most grave punishment that's allowed by law. This can easily involve jail time.

A Canastota, New York Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

A Canastota, 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 actually charged with tax evasion, it's imperative that you hire a qualified tax attorney in Canastota, 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.