Tax Evasion Lawyers in Akron
Tax Evasion in Ohio is a criminal act in which someone willfully fails to pay their taxes.
There are a few strategies that tax evaders use in Akron, Ohio. One of the most typical 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 harbor income for the purpose of evading one's tax liability, but all of them are illegal.
"Tax evasion" should not be confused with "tax avoidance." Tax evasion is the act of willfully attempting to get out of one's tax liability through prohibited 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 Akron, Ohio
The federal government and the laws of Ohio impose severe penalties for tax evasion - treating it as an extremely serious crime.
Punishments for evading one's taxes in Akron range from paying back taxes plus interest (a relatively mild punishment) all the way up to years in prison, and fines in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
In the majority of tax evasion cases, however, the punishments are not so severe. This is especially likely in first offenses, when the amount of money involved is fairly small. Minor punishments for tax evasion normally mean a small fine, on top of an order to pay whatever taxes the taxpayer owes. A minor punishment is most likely when the government has trouble proving that fraud was involved, as opposed to an honest accounting error.
However, if it can be clearly proven that a person or corporation in Akron, Ohio 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 Akron, Ohio Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help
Attorneys in Akron, Ohio who practice tax law can help you stay in compliance with your tax obligations. This is a good way to ensure that you won't be suspected of tax evasion in the first place.
In the unfortunate event that you're truly charged with tax evasion, it's important that you hire a knowledgeable tax attorney in Akron, Ohio. 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.