Tax Evasion Lawyers in Eastlake

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 Eastlake, Ohio. 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 number of ways to conceal income for the purpose of evading one's tax liability, but all of them are illegal.

It's important not to confuse "tax avoidance" and "tax evasion." They are two different things, but some people mistakenly use them interchangeably. Tax avoidance involves utilizing legal methods, such as tax deductions and exemptions, in a strategic manner, for the purpose of reducing one's tax liability. Tax avoidance is perfectly legal. Tax evasion involves fraud, and a deliberate attempt to avoid meeting one's legal commitments to pay taxes.

Penalties for Tax Evasion in Eastlake, Ohio

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

In Eastlake, 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 an Eastlake, Ohio 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 Eastlake, Ohio Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

An Eastlake, Ohio 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 important that you hire a qualified tax attorney in Eastlake, 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.