Tax Evasion Lawyers in Weston

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

One of the most common common tactics of tax evaders in Weston, West Virginia is to attempt to make it appear to an outside observer that their tax liability is lower than it actually 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 Weston, West Virginia

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

In Weston, tax evasion can result in anything from a comparatively small fine, and a court order to pay any back taxes as well as interest, all the way up to financial penalties in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, as well as jail time.

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.

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

A Weston, West Virginia Tax Evasion Lawyer Can Help

A tax attorney in Weston, 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 exactly what one's tax liability is, and a tax attorney can help.

In the unfortunate event that you're actually charged with tax evasion, it's essential that you hire a qualified tax attorney in Weston, West Virginia. 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.