Tax Evasion Lawyers in Tyler
In Texas, "tax evasion" is a crime that involves a purposeful failure to pay the taxes that the taxpayer legally owes.
There are a few strategies that tax evaders use in Tyler, Texas. One of the most frequent 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 hide income for the purpose of evading one's tax liability, but all of them are illegal.
You should not confuse "tax evasion" with "tax avoidance." Tax evasion is illegal, and involves deliberately failing to pay one's taxes which they lawfully owe. Tax avoidance, on the other hand, is legal, and involves using legal strategies to lower one's legal tax liability. For example, strategically using deductions and tax credits to lower the amount of money you are legally obliged to pay, is an example of tax avoidance, assuming you actually pay your tax bill, whatever it ends up being.
Penalties for Tax Evasion in Tyler, Texas
Under the laws of Texas, as well as federal law, tax evasion is a very serious criminal offense.
Tax evaders in Tyler 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 Tyler, Texas knowingly attempted to hide 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 Tyler, Texas Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help
Tax lawyers in Tyler, Texas can help anyone from an individual to a big business pay their taxes more easily, and comply with federal and local tax laws.
In the unfortunate event that you're really charged with tax evasion, it's critical that you hire a reliable tax attorney in Tyler, 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.