Tax Evasion Lawyers in Mcallen
In Texas, "tax evasion" is a crime that involves a deliberate failure to pay the taxes that the taxpayer legally owes.
There are a few strategies that tax evaders use in Mcallen, Texas. One of the most common tactics is to make it appear that the taxpayer has less taxable income than they actually do. There are a wide variety of ways to conceal 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 illegal act of trying to hide one's tax liability. Tax avoidance, on the other hand, is perfectly legal, and simply involves using the tax laws strategically, to reduce one's actual tax liability as much as possible.
Penalties for Tax Evasion in Mcallen, Texas
The laws of the federal government, as well as Texas take tax evasion very seriously, making it a crime.
Tax evaders in Mcallen can be punished by multi-year prison sentences, as well as six-figure fines. Of course, there is a wide range of punishments available, with the ones just mentioned representing the most severe options available.
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 especially true if the prosecution can't definitively prove that that the defendant's failure to pay taxes was deliberate, as opposed to an honest mistake.
However, if it can be clearly proven that a person or corporation in Mcallen, Texas willfully attempted to conceal income or assets for the purpose of getting out of taxes, a court will probably throw the book at them, so to speak. This can mean jail sentences measured in years, and fines in the six or seven figures.
A Mcallen, Texas Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help
Attorneys in Mcallen, 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 actually charged with tax evasion, it's important that you hire a qualified tax attorney in Mcallen, 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.