Tax Evasion Lawyers in Buena Vista

Tax evasion is a crime in Virginia. Tax evasion involves willfully failing to pay one's taxes.

Usually, tax evasion is accompanied by an attempt to make it appear to the government of Buena Vista, Virginia that one's tax liability is lower than it actually is. This can include concealing income, making fraudulent transfers of property, and other illegal activities.

"Tax evasion" should not be confused with "tax avoidance." Tax evasion is the act of willfully attempting to get out of one's tax liability through unlawful 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 Buena Vista, Virginia

The federal government and the laws of Virginia impose grave penalties for tax evasion - treating it as an extremely serious crime.

Punishments for evading one's taxes in Buena Vista range from paying back taxes plus interest (a relatively mild punishment) all the way up to years in prison, and penalties in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

In the majority of tax evasion cases, however, the punishments are not so severe. This is particularly likely in first offenses, when the amount of money involved is fairly small. Minor punishments for tax evasion usually mean a small fine, on top of an order to pay whatever taxes the taxpayer owes. A minor punishment is most likely when the government has trouble proving that fraud was involved, as opposed to an honest accounting error.

But, if the government can prove that a defendant in Buena Vista, Virginia willfully 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 Buena Vista, Virginia Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

A tax attorney in Buena Vista, Virginia can ensure that you meet your tax liabilities, which will make an audit, or charge of tax evasion, less likely. Sometimes, it's challenging to determine clearly what one's tax liability is, and a tax attorney can help.

In the unfortunate event that you're really charged with tax evasion, it's important that you hire a reliable tax attorney in Buena Vista, Virginia. 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.