Tax Evasion Lawyers in Ravenswood

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

One of the most common prevalent tactics of tax evaders in Ravenswood, West Virginia is to attempt to make it appear to an outside observer that their tax liability is lower than it truly is, such as by concealing income, fraudulently transferring property, and others.

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 Ravenswood, West Virginia

Under the laws of West Virginia, as well as federal law, tax evasion is a very egregious criminal offense.

The penalties for tax evasion in Ravenswood can range anywhere from small penalties to huge penalties, along with prison sentences of several years.

Most often, tax evasion - if it's a first offense and the tax liability is small - will not be cause for huge fines or imprisonment. This is particularly true if the prosecution can't definitively prove that that the defendant's failure to pay taxes was intentional, as opposed to an honest mistake.

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

A Ravenswood, West Virginia Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

A tax attorney in Ravenswood, West 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 precisely what one's tax liability is, and a tax attorney can help.

If the government truly charges you with tax evasion, it cannot be stressed enough that you need the assistance of a reliable Ravenswood, West Virginia 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.