Tax Evasion Lawyers in Hartsville

In South Carolina, "tax evasion" is a crime that involves a deliberate failure to pay the taxes that the taxpayer legally owes.

One of the most common common tactics of tax evaders in Hartsville, South Carolina is to attempt to make it appear to an outside observer that their tax liability is lower than it actually 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 Hartsville, South Carolina

The laws of the federal government, as well as South Carolina take tax evasion very seriously, making it a crime.

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

Typically, 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 prove that a defendant in Hartsville, South Carolina 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 Hartsville, South Carolina Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

An attorney in Hartsville, South Carolina 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.

Of course, if you've actually been accused of tax evasion, you should contact a Hartsville, South Carolina tax lawyer immediately. If you are innocent, a tax attorney will make sure you have the best chance possible at being acquitted.