Tax Evasion Lawyers in Washington County

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

One of the most common frequent tactics of tax evaders in Washington County, Pennsylvania is to attempt to make it appear to an outside observer that their tax liability is lower than it really is, such as by concealing income, fraudulently transferring property, and others.

You may also be acquainted with the term "tax avoidance." It is necessary that you don't confuse this with "tax evasion." Tax avoidance is perfectly legal, and is probably something that every taxpayer does whenever they file, whether they know it or not. It involves employing legal methods to make one's tax liability as small as possible, taking advantages of deductions and other tax breaks.

Penalties for Tax Evasion in Washington County, Pennsylvania

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

The penalties for tax evasion in Washington County can range anywhere from small penalties to huge penalties, along with prison sentences of several years.

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 particularly true if the prosecution can't definitively prove that that the defendant's failure to pay taxes was intentional, as opposed to an honest mistake.

But if the government is able to definitively show that a defendant in Washington County, Pennsylvania intentionally engaged in fraud to get out of paying taxes, a tax court is very unlikely to show any leniency, and may well sentence the defendant to prison time.

A Washington County, Pennsylvania Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

An attorney in Washington County, Pennsylvania specializing in tax law can help you adhere with all the tax laws that apply to you, which makes it very unlikely that you'll ever be accused of tax evasion in the first place.

Of course, if you've really been accused of tax evasion, you should retain a Washington County, Pennsylvania tax lawyer immediately. If you are innocent, a tax attorney will make sure you have the best chance possible at being acquitted.