Michigan Tax Evasion Defense Lawyers
Tax Evasion & Fraud in Michigan
Our firm has experienced tax evasion and fraud attorneys to handle any state or federal tax case. The federal government and the State of Michigan take tax-related crimes very seriously, so it is important to have an experienced white crime attorney to defend you.
An individual can be charged with tax evasion when he or she intentionally avoids paying taxes legally owed to the government. At Grewal Law PLLC, we can handle any of your tax evasion cases including business investigations and criminal cases.
From filing false tax returns to tax evasion, the penalties for many of these crimes can be severe. Being found guilty can result in having to pay high fines and in some cases having to spend time in prison. Grewal Law PLLC will provide you with legal counsel throughout your tax evasion case.
Do not try to face your tax difficulties on your own, call us for your free consultation at (888) 211-5798.
What Is Tax Evasion?
Too often individuals do not understand when they cross the line between tax avoidance and tax evasion. Intentionally avoiding paying taxes legally owed to the government is tax evasion. In contrast, tax avoidance is when you restructure your finances to reap tax benefits or cuts which is legal.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will go after you for tax evasion when you fail to report money you earned on your taxes or simply do not file a federal return. Falsifications on your federal return will impact your state taxes and could cause you to be charged with crimes at both the state and federal levels.
Crimes Related to Tax Evasion & Fraud
You can be charged with tax evasion for a variety of offenses. If you are being investigated for misconduct related to a tax crime get a skilled Michigan white collar attorney to defend your case. It can be overwhelming when you are under investigation for these crimes, so do not try to face an investigation without legal representation. We will fight for you and will work towards achieving the best possible outcome in your case.
A person may intentionally commit one of the crimes related to tax fraud while others may unknowingly commit a crime.
The types of offenses where you can be charged for tax evasion include the following:
- Not filing a return every year
- Overestimating expenses and/or deductions
- Claiming false deductions
- Making false statements when being audited or investigated by the IRS
- Not collecting employment taxes
- Using personal expenses to claim on business returns
Investigations & Prosecution of Tax Crimes
Just because a person is audited after filing a tax return does not mean he or she is under investigation for a tax-related crime. Audits are randomly conducted of federal returns; however, a serious investigation will take place for any returns where discrepancies are noticed by the IRS. At the federal level, tax evasion must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt in order to move forward with the prosecution of a case.
When an investigation is being conducted at the federal level, an agent must find evidence of wrongdoing. An investigator must show there is a discrepancy on the amount of taxes paid and there must be evidence that the taxpayer attempted to willfully/knowingly evade paying the owed taxes.
An investigation can ultimately lead to criminal charges or civil penalties. A person who faces a civil sanction will often be forced to pay a penalty. In contrast, an individual who is under criminal investigation could be facing serious jail time and fees if convicted of a charge.
Federal Tax Evasion Penalties
At the federal level, a person accused of tax evasion will be charged with a felony. The penalties vary depending on the type of crime committed under U.S. Code.
Simply filing a false tax return can lead to the following punishment:
- Up to one year in prison
- Fines up to $10,000 or $50,000 for corporate returns
- Combination of fines and fees
A person convicted of individual tax fraud could face the following penalties:
- Up to five years in prison
- Fines up to $100,000 or $500,000 for corporate tax fraud
- Combination of fines and prison time
You can even be charged with a federal crime for simply interfering with an investigation. The felony can lead up to three years in jail, fines of up to $5,000 or a combination of both. These penalties increase when the use of force is also used against an investigator.
Additional federal crimes include willful failure to file a return charged as a misdemeanor or conspiracy to defraud the government as a felony. Anyone who is facing one of these federal crimes needs a skilled tax evasion attorney to handle his or her case. Protect your future by calling Grewal Law PLLC today.
Michigan Tax Evasion Penalties
Penalties for Michigan tax evasion are also very serious. Charges start at the misdemeanor level for willful failure to file a return. A conviction of this crime is punishable by the following penalties:
- Up to one year in prison
- Fines of up to $1,000
- Combination of fines and prison time
More serious charges are related to falsifying a return. A conviction of this crime can lead to up to five years in prison and fines up to $5,000. In addition, a person could face perjury charges which come with more severe penalties including spending up to 15 years in jail.
Tax Evasion Attorneys in Michigan
Contact Grewal Law PLLC to serve as your white collar criminal defense lawyers in Michigan. Our experienced tax attorneys understand federal tax codes and state law related to tax evasion and can use their knowledge to assist you.
Trying to understand tax law can be confusing and overwhelming. While serving as your legal counsel, we will help you understand the charges you are facing. We will be by your side throughout an investigation along with legal proceedings related to formal charges.
Call Grewal Law PLLC for a no-obligation quote in your case at (888) 211-5798.
