Tax Evasion Lawyers in Rochester
Tax Evasion in New York is a criminal act in which someone willfully fails to pay their taxes.
There are a few strategies that tax evaders use in Rochester, New York. One of the most common tactics is to make it appear that the taxpayer has less taxable income than they actually do. There are a wide variety of ways to conceal income for the purpose of evading one's tax liability, but all of them are illegal.
"Tax evasion" should be distinguished from "tax avoidance." Tax evasion is the illegal act of trying to hide one's tax liability. Tax avoidance, on the other hand, is perfectly legal, and simply involves using the tax laws strategically, to reduce one's actual tax liability as much as possible.
Penalties for Tax Evasion in Rochester, New York
The laws of the federal government, as well as New York take tax evasion very seriously, making it a crime.
The penalties for tax evasion in Rochester can range anywhere from small fines to huge fines, along with prison sentences of several years.
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.
However, if it can be clearly proven that a person or corporation in Rochester, New York willfully attempted to conceal 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 Rochester, New York Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help
Tax lawyers in Rochester, 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.
If you find yourself actually accused of tax evasion, and are innocent, you should hire a Rochester, New York attorney with experience practicing tax law, as soon as possible. Your tax attorney can help you defend yourself against the charges, ensuring that you have a good chance at being acquitted.