Tax Evasion Lawyers in St. Marys

In Ohio, "tax evasion" is a crime that involves a willful failure to pay the taxes that the taxpayer legally owes.

Normally, tax evasion is accompanied by an attempt to make it appear to the government of St. Marys, Ohio that one's tax liability is lower than it actually is. This can include concealing income, making fraudulent transfers of property, and other illegal activities.

"Tax evasion" should not be confused with "tax avoidance." Tax evasion is the act of deliberately 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 St. Marys, 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 St. Marys 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.

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 purposeful, as opposed to an honest mistake.

However, if it can be clearly proven that a person or corporation in St. Marys, Ohio deliberately 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 St. Marys, Ohio Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

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

In the unfortunate event that you're truly charged with tax evasion, it's imperative that you hire a knowledgeable tax attorney in St. Marys, 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.