Tax Evasion Lawyers in Corpus Christi
In Texas, "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 Corpus Christi, 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 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 Corpus Christi, Texas
Both federal law and the law of Texas treat tax evasion as a severe criminal offense.
Punishments for evading one's taxes in Corpus Christi 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 deliberate evasion, as opposed to an honest error in accounting.
But, if the government can prove that a defendant in Corpus Christi, Texas purposely 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 Corpus Christi, Texas Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help
Attorneys in Corpus Christi, Texas 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.
In the unfortunate event that you're really charged with tax evasion, it's crucial that you hire a reliable tax attorney in Corpus Christi, 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.