Tax Evasion Lawyers in Sioux Falls
In South Dakota, "tax evasion" is a crime that involves a purposeful failure to pay the taxes that the taxpayer legally owes.
Usually, the strategy employed by tax evaders in Sioux Falls, South Dakota is to try and make it look like they have less taxable income than they actually do. This can be done by failing to report income, concealing it, or fraudulently transferring property.
"Tax evasion" should be distinguished from "tax avoidance." Tax evasion is the unlawful act of trying to hide one's tax liability. Tax avoidance, on the other hand, is perfectly legal, and simply involves utilizing the tax laws strategically, to reduce one's actual tax liability as much as possible.
Penalties for Tax Evasion in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Under federal and state law, including the laws of South Dakota, tax evasion is a very egregious crime.
The penalties for tax evasion in Sioux Falls 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.
On the other hand, if the prosecution can show that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota taxpayer engaged in fraud, and knowingly failed to pay their taxes, a tax court will probably impose the most grave punishment that's authorized by law. This can easily involve jail time.
A Sioux Falls, South Dakota Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help
Tax lawyers in Sioux Falls, South Dakota can help anyone from an individual to a big business pay their taxes more quickly, and adhere with federal and local tax laws.
However, if you're really accused of tax evasion, you will need a Sioux Falls, South Dakota 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.