Tax-Related Offenses Against the Federal Government
Those people accused of and charged with federal tax-related offenses can be prosecuted and sentenced. If you were involved in tax-related crimes, it is crucial to seek legal counsel.
What are these offenses? What are the federal punishments for them? At the Zoukis Consulting Group, we are happy to help you understand your charges and defend you in court.
Call us today for a consultation.
What Is a Tax-Related Offense?
Anyone who evades tax payment faces penalties by law. As discussed in the Tax Crimes Handbook, generally, there are two kinds of tax-related offenses, evasion of assessment and evasion of payment.
Evasion of Assessment
This form of tax-related offense is most common and includes filing a false return or evading a tax return.
Affirmative acts of evasion include:
- Keeping double sets of books
- Making false entries and invoices
- Record destruction
- Concealing income sources
- Avoiding usual records
- Conduct to conceal or mislead
Evasion of Payment
This form of tax-related offense happens when the taxpayer does not pay their taxes and a demand for taxes is issued.
Lesser Included Offenses
Lesser included offenses comprise additional elements to make up a more significant tax-related offense. These offenses are considered lesser than the major tax evasion offense but are still part of the investigation.
Federal Tax Crimes and the IRS
Federal tax crimes include failing to file your taxes, not accurately reporting income and offshore investments, and filing false documents and statements.
The IRS (Internal Revenue Service) pursues criminal investigation for federal tax crimes. Federal tax fraud, money laundering, and illegal methods of filing taxes are investigated to determine the level of violation.
Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations is considered in civil law as a period when legal proceedings can be initiated after a violation. With tax-related offenses, the statute of limitation period is between three and six years from when the complaint is made.
Penalties for Tax-Related Offenses
You can receive jail time for tax-related offenses. The average jail time for tax-related offenses is typically between three and five years.
Serious tax evasion can result in longer jail time and more severe penalties. Civil and criminal penalties are issued depending on the type of crime committed. If you fear that you might be sentenced to jail time, be sure to consult with an attorney.
What Is a Federal Tax Attorney?
A tax lawyer should be your first point of contact, as they specialize in tax law.
Tax attorneys are lawyers who represent you in the criminal justice system. Typically, tax lawyers represent issues regarding general taxes, tax fraud charges, and payroll concerns.
Most tax attorneys have backgrounds in legal tax matters and have the in-depth knowledge you require to represent you in a court of law.
How a Tax Attorney Can Help You
Once the United States issues an investigation, the accused has the right to a federal tax attorney. Criminal defense attorneys help protect you and your loved ones.
It is important to seek out a local and competent tax attorney to answer any of your questions and offer a criminal defense.
A federal tax lawyer helps settle your debt with the government and negotiate reasonable penalties.
How to Find a Federal Tax Attorney
Start by seeking out a tax attorney in your area. Time is crucial, so the sooner you seek out a tax attorney, the better.
Be sure to seek out a tax attorney who specializes in the type of case in which you are accused or involved. Inquire about their law degree and if they have experience in relevant organizations. The longer the attorney has been in the field, the more experience they have.
The Cost of a Tax Attorney
Costs for a criminal defense attorney are relatively high. Each tax attorney charges their own rate.
The high costs are because of the penalties involved in law. Typically, you can expect to pay anywhere from $200-$400 an hour, or a total of $40,000-$100,000, depending on your situation and the criminal charge.
The difference in cost is based on the level of experience your tax attorney has and the type of case you require to be defended.
Public Defenders
Public defenders are appointed lawyers who represent people who cannot afford to pay someone to defend them in a criminal lawsuit.
Public defenders are provided and paid for by the federal public defense system. It is an option if you cannot afford an attorney.
Because of repetitious trials and experience, public defenders can be quite skilled. All U.S. citizens have the right to free legal counsel.
We Will Defend You Against Your Federal Tax Crimes
Any federal crimes require professional legal representation. All tax-related offenses that require investigation benefit from a qualified and skilled tax attorney.
The Zoukis Consulting Group assists you with finding criminal defense attorneys, offering commercial and specialized services.
Call us today if you’re facing federal tax crimes and need a lawyer to defend you. We’ll set you up with an initial consultation.
Published Feb 15, 2022 by Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA | Last Updated by Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA on May 12, 2023 at 5:12 pm
