Tax crimes are typically enforced on the federal level. Violations of tax laws can result in up to five years in prison and up to hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines. If you have been accused of committing a tax crime, you should immediately contact a federal defense lawyer in Tampa. In this article, we will discuss several of the reasons why a federal criminal defense attorney in Tampa can assist you with your case.
There are two common reasons why people are accused of a federal tax crime by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Typically, a person is accused of either a violation of tax evasion or tax fraud laws. The IRS considers both of these illegal actions as a willful attempt to avoid tax payments.
The most popular tax crime is when a person attempts to evade payment of their taxes. There are two forms of tax evasion: Evasion of Assessment and Evasion of Payment. Evasion of Assessment is when a person attempts to transfer assets to dilute the total amount of tax they should pay on their income. Evasion of Payment, as the first law of the Internal Revenue Code states, is when a person willfully “attempts to evade or defeat tax.”
If you have heard the phrase “cheating on a tax form” then that’s an indicator of tax fraud. Whether it’s deliberately withholding information or providing inaccurate information, tax fraud means that the defendant willfully falsified their tax return to their benefit. Tax fraud is a common violation in cash-dependent businesses like restaurants and retail because employees are more prone to underreport their annual earnings in cash compensation.
If the IRS has contacted you and accused you of filing a false return, withholding information, creating false invoices, or failure to pay taxes, it’s important that you speak with an experienced federal defense lawyer in Tampa. Although your first inclination may be to contact your accountant, it’s best that you consult with a knowledgeable attorney in tax laws that fully understands the legal ramifications of your charge before you contact anyone else.
An experienced attorney can analyze the information you have been presented with, answer any concerns you may have in regard to complex tax laws, and, depending on the circumstances of your case, navigate you through the legal process.
For a free consultation with an experienced federal criminal defense attorney in Tampa, please contact The Rickman Law Firm today.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.