Tax Evasion Lawyers in Middletown
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 Middletown, 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 variety 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 using 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 obligations to pay taxes.
Penalties for Tax Evasion in Middletown, Ohio
Both federal law and the law of Ohio treat tax evasion as a serious criminal offense.
The penalties for tax evasion in Middletown can range anywhere from small fines to huge fines, along with prison sentences of several years.
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 typically 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.
On the other hand, if the prosecution can prove that a Middletown, Ohio taxpayer engaged in fraud, and knowingly failed to pay their taxes, a tax court will probably impose the most severe punishment that's allowed by law. This can easily involve jail time.
A Middletown, Ohio Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help
A tax attorney in Middletown, Ohio can ensure that you meet your tax liabilities, which will make an audit, or charge of tax evasion, less likely. Sometimes, it's difficult to determine exactly what one's tax liability is, and a tax attorney can help.
In the unfortunate event that you're actually charged with tax evasion, it's important that you hire a qualified tax attorney in Middletown, 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.