Tax Evasion Lawyers in Providence
In Rhode Island, "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 Providence, Rhode Island 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 familiar with the term "tax avoidance." It is crucial 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 Providence, Rhode Island
The federal government and the laws of Rhode Island impose severe penalties for tax evasion - treating it as an extremely serious crime.
Punishments for evading one's taxes in Providence 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.
Usually, a first offense of tax evasion, if the amount of tax evaded is relatively small, will not result in jail time or massive fines. This is especially the case if the government has trouble proving that the failure to pay taxes was the result of purposeful evasion, as opposed to an honest error in accounting.
But if the government is able to definitively show that a defendant in Providence, Rhode Island intentionally engaged in fraud to get out of paying taxes, a tax court is highly unlikely to show any leniency, and may well sentence the defendant to prison time.
A Providence, Rhode Island Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help
An attorney in Providence, Rhode Island specializing in tax law can help you comply 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.
If you find yourself really accused of tax evasion, and are innocent, you should hire a Providence, Rhode Island attorney with experience practicing tax law, as soon as possible. Your tax attorney can help you defend yourself against the charges, ensuring that you have a good chance at being acquitted.