Denton Criminal Defense Lawyer

What Is Tax Fraud?

Most Americans want to avoid paying taxes as much as possible, and the Supreme Court has ruled that it is the right of every American to pay as little in taxes as they legally can. The operative word, however, is “legally.” Many people turn to illegal means to avoid paying taxes, from failure to report earnings to trying to claim tax write-offs which they aren't qualified to claim. Illegally avoiding paying taxes is called tax fraud, and it is a serious offense. If you or someone you love has been charged with committing tax fraud, contact the Denton criminal attorneys of Alexander & Associates by calling 972-420-6560 today.

Knowing What is Illegal

One of the problems many people have with taxes is that they don't know what's legal and what's illegal. While some taxpayers intentionally deceive the government, others do so only accidentally. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) estimated that in 2007, taxpayers underpaid the government by $345 billion. Unsurprisingly, tax collectors are less than happy about losing the national income afforded by taxes, and they will investigate suspicious tax returns in order to catch the people who are, in effect, stealing from the government.

If you are suspected of illegally avoiding paying income tax, the IRS will send auditors to look over your tax returns. If they find that you have been deliberately underpaying the government, there can be serious repercussions, such as jail time and a $100,000 fine.

Contact Us

Tax fraud is a very serious charge, and the punishment can be equally serious. If you are facing tax evasion charges, contact the Denton criminal lawyers of Alexander & Associates by calling 972-420-6560.