Tax Crime Lawyer
Most taxpayers are aware that there can be serious consequences for not complying with federal tax laws, but not as many know that violations can actually lead to criminal charges. The Internal Revenue Code (IRC) provides that any person who willfully evades the legal requirements is guilty of a felony, punishable by up to $100,000, five years’ imprisonment, or both. A corporate entity that engages in tax crimes could face even harsher penalties, potentially leading to $500,000 in fines.
Tax crimes are extremely serious cases, as the IRS has a wide range of enforcement options available to punish those who violate the law. If you are an individual or corporate taxpayer accused of federal tax law offenses, our experienced attorneys at Lehman Tax Law are prepared to fight for your rights. Please contact our office to set up a free consultation with a tax crime lawyer right away. Some background information on common tax law violations may also be helpful.
Tax Evasion
This offense is the one that comes to mind most often when you think about tax crimes. To obtain a conviction, officials must prove three elements:
- You engaged in some affirmative act for purposes of avoiding taxes. Typically, the allegations focus on:
- Evasion of assessment, in which you provide false statements to reduce your tax liability; or,
- Evasion of payment, where you conceal funds or assets that could go towards paying your taxes.
- The act was intentional and willful, rather than merely being an accident or misunderstanding of the tax laws.
- There is a tax deficiency that is past due and remains outstanding.
As a criminal offense, the IRS must prove each of these elements beyond a reasonable doubt.
Failure to File a Return
When a taxpayer is required by law to comply with a tax-related duty, a willful violation of that obligation could lead to tax crimes allegations. The duty may include filing a return, supplying information, keeping tax records, and others defined by law. It may be possible to fight the allegations by disputing that you were bound by a duty or contesting that the violation was willful and intentional.
Other Violations of Tax Laws and IRS Regulations
In addition to the above common tax offenses, there are numerous other tax crimes defined by the IRC, including:
- Failure to collect or pay over tax, such as FICA and others that employers are required to deduct from employee’s payroll;
- Fraudulent withholding exemption, which centers on the information you provide when filling out a Form W-4;
- Making fraudulent or false statements for purposes of income taxes; and,
- Many others.
Contact an Experienced Tax Crime Attorney Right Away
You might be surprised to learn that the IRS aggressively pursues those who violate the above offenses and many others. Your best option for obtaining a favorable outcome or resolution is retaining knowledgeable legal counsel, so please call Lehman Tax Law at 561.368.1113 or visit us online. We can schedule a free consultation with attorney Richard S. Lehman.
