Tax Evasion Lawyers in Pasadena
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 Pasadena, 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 number of ways to conceal income for the purpose of evading one's tax liability, but all of them are illegal.
"Tax evasion" should not be confused with "tax avoidance." Tax evasion is the act of knowingly attempting to get out of one's tax liability through illegal means. Tax avoidance is perfectly legal, and involves utilizing legal strategies (such as taking advantage of deductions and tax credits) to reduce one's legal tax liability. However, someone engaging in tax avoidance typically intends to pay whatever they end up owing, even as they try to reduce the amount they owe.
Penalties for Tax Evasion in Pasadena, Texas
The federal government and the laws of Texas impose grave penalties for tax evasion - treating it as an extremely serious crime.
In Pasadena, tax evasion can result in anything from a comparatively small fine, and a court order to pay any back taxes as well as interest, all the way up to financial penalties in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, as well as jail time.
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.
However, if the relevant tax authorities are able to demonstrate that a taxpayer in Pasadena, Texas committed intentional fraud, in order to evade their legal duty to pay taxes, a tax court is probably going to impose a more severe penalty, which may include jail time, and large financial penalties.
A Pasadena, Texas Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help
Tax lawyers in Pasadena, Texas can help anyone from an individual to a big business pay their taxes more quickly, and adhere with federal and local tax laws.
If you find yourself actually accused of tax evasion, and are innocent, you should hire a Pasadena, Texas attorney with expertise practicing tax law, as soon as possible. Your tax attorney can help you defend yourself against the charges, ensuring that you have a good chance at being acquitted.