Tax Evasion Lawyers in Mount Vernon
Tax evasion is a crime in Washington. Tax evasion involves intentionally failing to pay one's taxes.
Typically, tax evasion is accompanied by an attempt to make it appear to the government of Mount Vernon, Washington 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.
It's important not to confuse "tax avoidance" and "tax evasion." They are two different things, but some people mistakenly use them interchangeably. Tax avoidance involves utilizing legal methods, such as tax deductions and exemptions, in a strategic manner, for the purpose of reducing one's tax liability. Tax avoidance is perfectly legal. Tax evasion involves fraud, and a deliberate attempt to avoid meeting one's legal commitments to pay taxes.
Penalties for Tax Evasion in Mount Vernon, Washington
The federal government and the laws of Washington impose grave penalties for tax evasion - treating it as an extremely serious crime.
In Mount Vernon, the penalties for tax evasion can range from a court order to pay back taxes, plus a small fine, and range all the way up to penalties in the tens (or hundreds) of thousands of dollars, and imprisonment.
Typically, 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.
However, if the relevant tax authorities are able to demonstrate that a taxpayer in Mount Vernon, Washington 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 Mount Vernon, Washington Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help
A Mount Vernon, Washington 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.
If the government actually charges you with tax evasion, it cannot be stressed enough that you need the assistance of a reputable Mount Vernon, Washington tax attorney. Assuming you're actually innocent, your tax lawyer can help you prepare a defense, and ensure that you have a good chance of being found not guilty. On top of that, they can make getting through such a difficult time much easier.