Tax Evasion Lawyers in Lake City

In South Carolina, "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 Lake City, South Carolina 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 essential 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 Lake City, South Carolina

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

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

In the majority of tax evasion cases, however, the punishments are not so severe. This is especially likely in first offenses, when the amount of money involved is fairly small. Minor punishments for tax evasion usually mean a small fine, on top of an order to pay whatever taxes the taxpayer owes. A minor punishment is most likely when the government has trouble proving that fraud was involved, as opposed to an honest accounting error.

But, if the government can prove that a defendant in Lake City, South Carolina intentionally 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 Lake City, South Carolina Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

Attorneys in Lake City, South Carolina who practice tax law can help you stay in compliance with your tax obligations. This is a good way to ensure that you won't be suspected of tax evasion in the first place.

However, if you're really accused of tax evasion, you will need a Lake City, South Carolina tax attorney more than ever. If you are, in fact, innocent, a tax attorney can give you the best possible chance of being found not guilty.