Tax Evasion Lawyers in Oklahoma City
In Oklahoma, "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 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 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.
You should not confuse "tax evasion" with "tax avoidance." Tax evasion is illegal, and involves deliberately failing to pay one's taxes which they lawfully owe. Tax avoidance, on the other hand, is legal, and involves utilizing legal strategies to lower one's legal tax liability. For example, strategically using deductions and tax credits to lower the amount of money you are legally obliged to pay, is an example of tax avoidance, assuming you actually pay your tax bill, whatever it ends up being.
Penalties for Tax Evasion in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Both federal law and the law of Oklahoma treat tax evasion as a significant criminal offense.
Punishments for evading one's taxes in Oklahoma City range from paying back taxes plus interest (a relatively mild punishment) all the way up to years in prison, and penalties in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Normally, an initial offense of tax evasion, if the amount of tax evaded is comparatively small, will not result in jail time or massive fines. This is particularly the case if the government has trouble proving that the failure to pay taxes was the result of intentional evasion, as opposed to an honest error in accounting.
But, if the government can prove that a defendant in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma willfully concealed income, in order to get out of paying taxes, a court will most likely impose the heaviest penalties allowed by law, including enormous fines, and several years in prison.
A Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help
Attorneys in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma who practice tax law can help you stay in conformity with your tax commitments. This is a good way to confirm that you won't be suspected of tax evasion in the first place.
If the government truly charges you with tax evasion, it cannot be stressed enough that you need the assistance of a reliable Oklahoma City, Oklahoma tax attorney. Assuming you're actually innocent, your tax lawyer can help you prepare a defense, and ensure that you have a good chance of being found not guilty. On top of that, they can make getting through such a difficult time much easier.