Tax Evasion Lawyers in West Richland

Tax evasion is a crime in Washington. Tax evasion involves deliberately failing to pay one's taxes.

Normally, tax evasion is accompanied by an attempt to make it appear to the government of West Richland, 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 West Richland, Washington

Under federal and state law, including the laws of Washington, tax evasion is a very severe crime.

In West Richland, 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.

Normally, 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.

On the other hand, if the prosecution can establish that a West Richland, Washington taxpayer engaged in fraud, and knowingly failed to pay their taxes, a tax court will probably impose the most severe punishment that's permitted by law. This can easily involve jail time.

A West Richland, Washington Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

Tax lawyers in West Richland, Washington 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 truly charged with tax evasion, it's imperative that you hire a knowledgeable tax attorney in West Richland, 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.