Tax Evasion Lawyers in Fort Worth
In Texas, "tax evasion" is a crime that involves a willful failure to pay the taxes that the taxpayer legally owes.
There are a few strategies that tax evaders use in Fort Worth, Texas. One of the most typical tactics is to make it appear that the taxpayer has less taxable income than they actually do. There are a wide number of ways to harbor income for the purpose of evading one's tax liability, but all of them are illegal.
"Tax evasion" should be distinguished from "tax avoidance." Tax evasion is the prohibited 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 Fort Worth, Texas
Both federal law and the law of Texas treat tax evasion as a significant criminal offense.
The penalties for tax evasion in Fort Worth can range anywhere from small penalties to huge penalties, along with prison sentences of several years.
Normally, an initial offense of tax evasion, if the amount of tax evaded is comparatively small, will not result in jail time or massive fines. This is particularly the case if the government has trouble proving that the failure to pay taxes was the result of intentional evasion, as opposed to an honest error in accounting.
But if the government is able to definitively establish that a defendant in Fort Worth, 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 Fort Worth, Texas Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help
A Fort Worth, Texas attorney who concentrates in tax law can help ensure that you are in conformity with all applicable tax laws, making an accusation of tax evasion less likely.
In the unfortunate event that you're truly charged with tax evasion, it's important that you hire a knowledgeable tax attorney in Fort Worth, 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.