If the IRS is investigating or you are already facing charges, seek a dedicated fraud attorney immediately to begin working on your defense. For a free consultation with a St. Petersburg tax fraud lawyer, call today.
What are Some Types of Tax Fraud?
Title 18 and Title 26 (the Internal Revenue Code) of the United States Code (USC) detail tax fraud laws. There are various different types of actions the IRS considers tax fraud or evasion, but the core of all tax fraud crimes is the taxpayer’s intent to defraud the government by not paying taxes.
Below are just a few of the activities that can merit tax fraud charges.
- Purposefully failing to file a tax return when it is required to do so [26 U.S.C. §§ 6651(a)(1), 7203]
- Making fraudulent statements on a tax return [26 U.S.C. § 7206(1)]
- Failing to report income [26 U.S.C. § 7203]
- Not keeping required tax records [26 U.S.C. § 7203]
- Intimidating an IRS officer [26 U.S.C. § 7212(a)]
- Altering or falsifying tax documents [26 U.S.C. § 7206(5)(B)]
- Failing to pay taxes [26 U.S.C. §§ 7203, 6651(a)(2) & (3)]
- Organized abusive tax schemes [18 U.S.C. § 371]
A St. Petersburg attorney can provide more information on the types of tax fraud charges so you understand what you are up against.
What are the Penalties for Tax Fraud?
The exact penalties for tax fraud charges depend upon the nature of the crime and the amount of the funds in question. Courts may try the crime as a misdemeanor or felony. IRS tax fraud is generally punishable by civil penalties (fines), whereas USC violations usually mean criminal penalties (fines and imprisonment).
Below are the potential penalties for some of the most common types of tax fraud.
- Tax evasion – Five years imprisonment and/or $100,000 ($500,000 for a corporation) in fines [26 U.S.C. § 7201]
- Willful failure to file return, supply information, or pay tax – One year imprisonment and $25,000 ($100,000 for a corporation) in fines [26 U.S.C. § 7203]
- Failure to collect tax or pay over tax – Five years’ imprisonment and/or $10,000 in fines [26 U.S.C. § 7202]
- Fraud and false statements – Three years’ imprisonment and/or $100,000 ($500,000 for a corporation) in fines [26 U.S.C. § 7206]
Tax Fraud Defenses
In order for the court to find you guilty of tax fraud, the IRS/prosecutor must show that you purposefully/knowingly committed fraud. In fact, most defense lawyers base their fraud defenses on the claim that the St. Petersburg defendant did not know he or she was committing tax fraud.
Contact a Tax Fraud Attorney in St. Petersburg Today
If you are facing charges, you need a St. Petersburg tax fraud lawyer to defend your case. Call Goldman Wetzel and speak to an attorney who is well-versed in charges of this nature. Contact us today and let us get started on your case so we can protect your best interests.