Tax Evasion Lawyers in Athens

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

Typically, the strategy employed by tax evaders in Athens, Texas 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.

You may also be acquainted with the term "tax avoidance." It is critical 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 Athens, Texas

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

In Athens, the penalties for tax evasion can range from a court order to pay back taxes, plus a small fine, and range all the way up to penalties in the tens (or hundreds) of thousands of dollars, and imprisonment.

However, the punishments for tax evasion, particularly first offenses involving relatively small amounts of money, is not usually so severe, particularly when it looks like the failure to pay taxes was the result of an honest mistake, rather than deliberate fraud.

But if the government is able to definitively prove that a defendant in Athens, Texas 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 Athens, Texas Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

Attorneys in Athens, Texas who practice tax law can help you stay in conformity with your tax commitments. This is a good way to confirm that you won't be suspected of tax evasion in the first place.

In the unfortunate event that you're actually charged with tax evasion, it's critical that you hire a qualified tax attorney in Athens, Texas. If you are actually innocent, your tax attorney can help make sure that you have the best chance you can of being found not guilty.