Miami Tax Fraud Lawyer
Tax fraud is a serious federal crime. The federal government has estimated that almost $340 billion is lost from tax evasion each year, and as a result the government is cracking down on this type of crime. When you’ve been accused of committing tax fraud, it is extremely important to have an experienced Miami tax fraud lawyer on your side who can help you to navigate the complexities of the tax code. Each year, both businesses and individuals must complete tax returns and pay any federal or state taxes they owe. And when you own a business, you’ll need to deal with additional taxes that don’t apply to individual filers.
If you’re convicted of the white collar crime of tax fraud, you can face significant fines, additional financial penalties, the assessment of back taxes, and in some cases even imprisonment. You don’t want to handle a tax fraud matter on your own. Let the Miami tax fraud lawyers at Ratzan & Faccidomo, LLC examine your case today.
What Constitutes Miami Tax Fraud?
A number of different offenses can constitute tax fraud. No one enjoys filling out tax forms and owing taxes to the government. However, the failure to properly file your tax returns can constitute tax fraud. And when you misreport income or misrepresent your assets on a tax return, you can be charged with tax fraud or tax evasion. It’s important to keep in mind that mere negligence when filing a tax return likely won’t rise to the level of fraud. Indeed, tax fraud typically is defined by an intentional act that’s committed knowingly and with the aim to defraud the government.
Some common forms of tax fraud include, but are not limited to, the following acts:
- Intentionally failing to file a tax return;
- Knowingly underreporting income;
- Knowingly underreporting the value of your property;
- Knowingly omitting income;
- Knowingly hiding assets;
- Making false accounting entries or preparing false business records;
- Keeping two different sets of accounting records in order to hide business assets or profits;
- Claiming deductions to which you’re not entitled;
- Exaggerating about a deduction;
- Exaggerating about or falsely claiming charitable donations;
- Claiming individual expenses (outside your business) as business expenses; and
- Claiming to be a resident of another state in order to evade taxes.
Tax fraud is a complicated offense, and you will need experienced counsel on your side if you have been charged with a white collar crime. At the law office of Ratzan & Faccidomo, LLC we have years of experience handling criminal defense cases throughout the state of Florida and can help with your case today.
How Will My Tax Fraud Case Progress?
Generally speaking, tax fraud cases can take quite awhile before they reach a courtroom. How will the investigation work? Usually, the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of the IRS will conduct an investigation into your case. After completing an investigation, the CID will take any evidence to the prosecution. There, prosecutors will also evaluate your case and will decide whether to continue with the tax fraud case.
However, don’t let the length of this process allow you to think you can wait to speak to an lawyer. It’s essential to talk with a Miami tax fraud lawyer as soon as possible. Before your case makes it to court, you will need an experienced lawyer on your side who can help you through the long process of dealing with IRS investigators and prosecutors.
The penalties for federal tax fraud are governed by the Internal Revenue Code. Section 7201 of the Code states that if convicted you could serve up to five years in prison and pay up to $100,000 in fines, or both, for each offense. Having an experienced tax fraud lawyer at your side can help you avoid the strict penalties and consequences of tax fraud.
Contact a Miami Tax Fraud & Evasion Lawyer
When you’ve been accused of a white collar crime like federal tax evasion, you’ll be dealing with an especially complicated area of the law. An experienced Miami tax fraud lawyer can assess your case for you. Contact us to learn more about how we can assist with your defense.
