Tax Evasion Lawyers in Puyallup
Tax evasion is a crime in Washington. 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 Puyallup, 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 Puyallup, Washington
The federal government and the laws of Washington impose severe penalties for tax evasion - treating it as an extremely serious crime.
In Puyallup, 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.
In the majority of tax evasion cases, however, the punishments are not so severe. This is especially 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.
On the other hand, if the prosecution can show that a Puyallup, Washington taxpayer engaged in fraud, and knowingly failed to pay their taxes, a tax court will probably impose the most severe punishment that's authorized by law. This can easily involve jail time.
A Puyallup, Washington Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help
A tax attorney in Puyallup, Washington can ensure that you meet your tax liabilities, which will make an audit, or charge of tax evasion, less likely. Sometimes, it's difficult 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 Puyallup, 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.