Norcross Tax Evasion Attorneys

Everyone complains about paying taxes, but how bad is it, really, if you pay the IRS less than the law requires? Did you know that Al Capone went to prison for tax evasion, even after getting away with so many other crimes? It is possible to get in big trouble for intentionally failing to pay taxes. Not only will you have to pay all the taxes you should have paid in the first place, but there are also fines, and some people convicted of tax evasion have even served prison sentences for tax evasion. If the IRS asks you about taxes you were supposed to pay a long time ago, and you are worried about being charged, contact the Gwinnett County, Georgia white collar crimes defense lawyers at Zimmerman & Associates.

Tax Evasion, Tax Fraud, and Tax Negligence

Tax negligence simply means being careless when preparing your tax returns, so that some of the information is inaccurate or incorrect. It is rare to receive criminal charges for tax negligence; if the IRS audits your tax documents and catches mistakes, usually the worst that happens is that you have to pay the difference between what you paid and what you owe, and the IRS may also impose additional monetary penalties.

The definitions of the crimes of tax fraud and tax evasion are similar. They both involve knowingly concealing or misrepresenting information in order to avoid paying taxes. If the IRS or other investigators catch you doing any of these things, they could use them as evidence against you in a tax evasion or tax fraud case:

• Intentionally underreporting your income
• Failing to report assets you own outside the United States
• Keeping multiple sets of records
• Titling assets in the names of other parties (such as shell corporations or your relatives) even though you control these assets
• Intentionally destroying or tampering with receipts, accounting books, or other financial documents

The difference between tax evasion and tax fraud is that tax evasion has a shorter statute of limitations, and the standard of proof is higher to secure a conviction of it. Defendants charged with tax evasion or tax fraud often also face charges for other financial crimes, such as money laundering or embezzlement, in connection with the same incident or set of financial records.

Correcting Tax Irregularities With the Help of a Tax Evasion Defense Lawyer in Georgia

If you plead not guilty to tax evasion charges, you can argue that the irregularities were unintentional or that the evidence against you does not sufficiently establish proof. Sometimes, though, the best way to avoid a tax evasion conviction is to stay ahead of the IRS by owning up to your shady dealings and paying the taxes you owe. You cannot face criminal charges if, by the time the IRS starts its investigation, you have already contacted the IRS about bringing your tax returns back into compliance. Therefore, if you have intentionally concealed enough assets or income that you reduce your tax bill by at least $3,000, you should contact a tax evasion defense lawyer to help you protect yourself from criminal liability while correcting your tax irregularities.

If you are facing criminal charges for tax evasion or another tax crime, contact Zimmerman & Associates in Norcross, Georgia.