Why It Is Important to Hire a Tax Fraud Attorney

If you have been charged with tax fraud or tax evasion in New York, it is important to contact a Tax Fraud Attorney as soon as possible. Failure to do so can result in serious consequences, including jail time and hefty fines.

A skilled, experienced New York City tax crimes attorney can provide a strong and effective defense against any charges of tax fraud or evasion. They are well-versed in the laws governing the state and federal tax systems and can use that knowledge to help you fight any criminal charges you face.

The IRS and the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance often aggressively pursue investigations and prosecutions of tax cases, and if you are involved in a tax investigation or charge, it is vital to obtain legal representation before you can defend yourself. This is particularly true if you are not confident in your ability to handle the legal aspects of the investigation and prosecution alone.

Defending against charges of tax fraud is a highly complex matter that requires the assistance of a knowledgeable, skilled New York City tax crimes lawyer to ensure your case is properly represented and your rights protected. A tax crimes attorney who has worked with many clients facing federal and state investigations can help you navigate your case and understand all your options for a successful resolution.

Common Tax Crimes and Penalties

There are eight types of criminal tax crimes that are prosecuted in the state of New York: false statements, falsified documents, and submitting false statements on a tax return; not filing a required tax return; not paying taxes when owed; willfully committing a scheme to evade or avoid remitting a tax; willfully failing to take a required payroll or sales tax; willfully executing a scheme to commit tax evasion or avoid payment of taxes; and passing a false tax exemption certificate.

Individuals and businesses are liable for tax fraud, unless they are under an authorized exception. Those who knowingly fail to file a tax return or make false statements on a tax return can be subject to felony criminal charges that carry penalties of up to three years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines.

Falsified Documents and Statements

When you are a business owner or work for a large company, it is essential to keep your records up-to-date and accurate. This is particularly important when you are preparing your tax returns, making a refund, or dealing with any other tax-related issues.

If you are facing a state or federal tax investigation, it is imperative to seek legal assistance as soon as possible. A tax crimes attorney can help you navigate the investigation and gather the records you need to defend yourself in court.

You may also be able to negotiate an offer in compromise with the IRS, which can result in significant debt relief. If you are unable to come to an agreement, you will need a knowledgeable tax crimes attorney to assist you in filing an official appeal.

How Frequent Is Tax Fraud?

Tax fraud is defined as a willful violation of tax laws. It can be committed by individuals, businesses, and corporations. It can include any number of actions, such as filing a false or inaccurate tax return, hiding income, underreporting or overstating deductions, falsifying records and evading taxes.

The frequency of tax fraud is a complex issue, and many factors play into it. For instance, the amount of money that is taken in during a fraudulent transaction can have an impact on how frequently an investigation is initiated and whether charges are filed.

Generally, criminal tax investigations begin with civil audits and suspicious activity reports. These are essentially a form of alerting the Internal Revenue Service of financial or other wrongdoing, and the IRS typically serves summonses on taxpayers requesting that they submit financial records. They may also serve subpoenas on banks or other lenders to obtain records associated with tax evasion.

Fraudulent tax returns require that a taxpayer underreport their total income, which is a violation of federal law. The taxpayer must act willfully, as they know that they have to report their total income. They must also make a statement that is material, which means that the false statement is an important element of the total amount of money that was reported in the return.

The government will use this false statement to determine the total amount of tax that was reported in the return. This is why it is important to have a clear accounting that includes the gross or true income and all of the business expenses.

If the government is able to prove that the false statement was made willfully, then it can charge the individual with tax fraud. This is a serious offense, and the government has the incentive to pursue these cases.

A person who commits tax fraud is likely to be convicted of a felony. They will be subject to a hefty fine and may have to pay legal fees and restitution.

In addition to the potential for prison time, those who commit tax fraud can be charged with civil penalties as well. These are often less severe than prison time but can still lead to a significant increase in the tax liability that is owed.

It is also common for people to use false information or leave out important facts on their tax return in order to get a higher refund or not have to pay as much in taxes. While this sounds like a good idea, it is illegal and can be very detrimental to a person’s life.

Those who have been charged with tax fraud should consult with an experienced attorney to ensure that their rights are protected at every step of the legal process. If they do not, they could face serious consequences.

No one wants to be caught committing any kind of crime. However, if you have been accused of tax fraud or any other type of criminal activity, it is crucial that you seek out the counsel of an experienced attorney who can help you fight for your rights.

Penalties You Could Face If Found Guilty of Tax Fraud

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has the ability to impose both civil and criminal penalties on anyone they believe is committing tax fraud. Depending on the type of fraud, you can face a fine or even jail time.

Some common types of tax fraud include filing false returns, concealing income, and failing to pay taxes. These crimes can be committed by a business owner, an employee, a non-profit organization, or an individual.

In addition, people can be charged for assisting in the preparation of false tax returns or providing false information to the IRS. These crimes can result in prison time, probation, restitution, and large fines.

Filing False Returns

The most serious form of tax fraud is filing a false return with the intention of avoiding paying taxes. This can be done by taking fraudulent deductions, claiming false dependents, hiding assets or keeping two sets of financial records.

It can also be done by under-reporting your income, claiming personal expenses as business expenses, or taking fake educational credits.

There is no statute of limitations for these crimes and the IRS can come after you years later based on the same facts.

Willful Fraud and Evasion

Tax evasion can be a felony, which means it is punishable by up to five years in prison and up to $100k in fines. It is a serious offense and the IRS will seek criminal charges when they suspect you have been hiding money or other assets in an offshore bank account.

Likewise, you can be charged with willful failure to file an income tax return or filing a false claim for refundable credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit. The IRS can cite willfulness, which means that you knew you had a duty to file a return or were aware of the law when you failed to do so.

If you are facing a tax charge, it is important to consult with an experienced attorney who understands the laws and can help you avoid or minimize the potential consequences.

Understanding the difference between civil and criminal tax penalties is an important part of understanding how you can fight a potential fraud case. In criminal cases, prosecutors must prove that the defendant committed tax fraud "beyond reasonable doubt." The standard for a civil case is not as high, but still requires clear and convincing evidence of the conduct at issue.

Willfulness is the key to whether you can be convicted of tax fraud or evasion. It is a defense that you were not aware of your duty to file or you were unaware of the law.

There are many other types of crimes that fall under the umbrella of tax fraud, so it is a good idea to get professional legal advice if you think you may be involved in a tax crime. For example, cashing out can be a felony in many states, while falsifying payroll records is a common type of tax fraud.

Lebedin Kofman LLP

Lebedin Kofman LLP | Criminal Attorney and DWI Lawyer

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