Tax Evasion Lawyers in Catskill

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

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

You may also be familiar with the term "tax avoidance." It is necessary 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 Catskill, New York

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

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

In most cases, particularly when the amount of taxes evaded is small, and it's a first offense, the punishment will typically be fairly mild. It will typically 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 purposeful.

However, if it can be clearly proven that a person or corporation in Catskill, New York willfully attempted to harbor 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 Catskill, New York Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

Tax lawyers in Catskill, New York can help anyone from an individual to a big business pay their taxes more easily, and comply with federal and local tax laws.

Of course, if you've truly been accused of tax evasion, you should hire a Catskill, New York tax lawyer immediately. If you are innocent, a tax attorney will make sure you have the best chance possible at being acquitted.