Tax Evasion Lawyers in Normandy Park

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 Normandy Park, 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 using 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 obligations to pay taxes.

Penalties for Tax Evasion in Normandy Park, Washington

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

In Normandy Park, the punishments for tax evasion can range from a court order to pay back taxes, plus a small fine, and range all the way up to fines in the tens (or hundreds) of thousands of dollars, and imprisonment.

Typically, a first offense of tax evasion, if the amount of tax evaded is relatively small, will not result in jail time or massive fines. This is especially the case if the government has trouble proving that the failure to pay taxes was the result of purposeful evasion, as opposed to an honest error in accounting.

But if the government is able to definitively prove that a defendant in Normandy Park, Washington intentionally engaged in fraud to get out of paying taxes, a tax court is highly unlikely to show any leniency, and may well sentence the defendant to prison time.

A Normandy Park, Washington Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

A Normandy Park, Washington attorney who specializes in tax law can help ensure that you are in compliance with all applicable tax laws, making an accusation of tax evasion less likely.

In the unfortunate event that you're actually charged with tax evasion, it's essential that you hire a qualified tax attorney in Normandy Park, Washington. 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.