Tax fraud and evasion occurs anytime a person fails to pay their taxes according to the terms set by the government. In some cases, this occurs when somebody makes a mistake on their taxes. However, in other cases, this can occur when a person does not communicate information accurately to attach preparer or to state or federal tax agencies. Sometimes, a person takes deductions that they were not aware they did not qualify for.
Whether you made a mistake on your taxes or there was a lack of communication, being charged with tax fraud or tax evasion in Las Vegas is a serious crime. Any person facing tax fraud or evasion charges needs to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. At Okabe & Haushalter, our Las Vegas tax crimes attorneys have the resources and experience necessary to help you get through this.
What is a tax crime
Tax crime refers to any offense that violates the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). Tax crime investigations are handled by the Internal Revenue Services (IRS), which launches thousands of tax-related investigations every year. With an aggressive force of special agents devoted to uncovering tax fraud and tax evasion schemes, the IRS takes tax crimes very seriously.
The IRS defines tax fraud as “the willful and material submission of false statements or false documents in connection with an application and/or return.” To make a determination as to whether fraud has occurred, some of the indicators that investigators will look for include:
- Underreporting income
- Falsifying documents
- Intentionally failing to pay taxes
- Using a false Social Security number
- …and more
Penalties for Tax Fraud in Las Vegas
If a person is convicted of tax fraud, they could face up to three years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. If a person is convicted of tax evasion, they could face up to five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Businesses convicted of tax fraud or evasion may face a fine of double the amounts listed above.
These potential penalties for tax crimes in Nevada are serious, and any person facing these charges must secure assistance from a skilled attorney as soon as possible. The team at Okabe & Haushalter has a track record of success helping clients who are facing serious tax crime charges in Las Vegas. We are ready to step in and use our full resources to conduct a complete investigation into the allegations against you. Our goal is to reach the best possible outcome for your case, which can include getting the charges against you reduced or dismissed altogether. Depending on the circumstances and facts surrounding your case, this could also include working out a deal with state or federal prosecutors.
Common Evasion Schemes
There are many tax evasion schemes. Some are relatively simple—such as failing to report a portion of your income on a tax return; however, keep in mind that passively failing to pay your taxes is not the same as evading. You cannot be convicted if you do not willfully evade payment.
On the other hand, some schemes are elaborate—such as those involving offshore bank accounts or complicated business plans. In short, it is a crime to avoid paying your taxes by keeping money in secretive bank accounts. Although it is not technically illegal to have an offshore bank account, the IRS is extremely wary of foreign banking.
Employment evasion schemes are also common. Employers are responsible to withhold income tax from employees’ paychecks. If your employer withholds money but fails to remit payment to the IRS, he/she may be guilty of tax evasion. Other times, businesses pay their employees with cash, which allows them to avoid tax payments by keeping employees’ salaries off the record.
Need a tax crime lawyer? We can help!
At the firm, we are whole-heartedly dedicated to giving you top-notch legal assistance. Let our firm give you peace of mind by knowing your case is in reliable hands. Whether you’re facing an investigation or a criminal charge, our firm is ready to help. Call our office to schedule a case consultation. The sooner we hear from you, the faster we can begin creating an aggressive and effective case strategy to keep your record clean.
If you’ve been charged with a criminal offense related to nonpayment of your taxes, you may be subject to serious penalties. Call Okabe & Haushalter for help now!
Foreign Accounts & Tax Evasion
The IRS is extremely wary of offshore bank accounts. Why? Many tax crimes involve concealing money from the IRS through foreign banking. Some countries and jurisdictions (called tax havens) offer American investors the opportunity to store their funds in another country so that they cannot be taxed by the IRS. Many of these countries enact secrecy laws so that investors can manage bank accounts almost anonymously, making it easy to avoid tax payment in the U.S.
Employment Tax Crime Investigations
The IRS is especially aware of employment tax crime evasion schemes. According to new sources, the United States may lose up to $5 billion in unpaid taxes every year. Thus, the IRS aggressively pursues criminal convictions related to tax fraud and tax evasion. Sometimes, businesses try to avoid tax payments by withdrawing income tax from their employees’ paychecks but never remitting the money to the IRS. This scheme is often called pyramiding. In the past, employers have paid their workers in cash to avoid tax payment. These schemes are detrimental to government financing and to the individuals involved. When paid with cash, employees often lose future Medicare and social security benefits. Call us today!