IRS Special Agents are highly trained detectives and government officers whose purpose is to investigate any individuals or businesses thought to be guilty of tax fraud. All income earned has the potential to become involved in crime and is therefore subject to the jurisdiction of the IRS. These agents are aggressive and thorough in their investigation, so it is vital to seek the counsel of an experienced tax attorney right away if you have been contacted by a Special Agent.

Absolutely. While there are many criminal tax evasion cases throughout the United States, not every case is pursuable and punishable. However, the penalty for those who are caught and convicted is harsh. If convicted, you will be required to pay back all the taxes you owe along with penalties and interest, and you could face jail time of one year for every year you did not pay, up to five years total. With a reputable lawyer on your side, consequences could be minimal or avoided altogether.

Tax avoidance refers to any action taken by an individual or business to lessen their tax liability and to increase the amount of return they get at the end of every tax year. Tax evasion refers to the complete failure to pay what is owed, or to the deliberate underpayment or non-payment of taxes owed. Both are considered serious fraudulent activity, with conviction leading to jail time along with hefty fines and penalties. Contact a qualified lawyer immediately if you receive notification of tax fraud charges against you.

Individuals or businesses found guilty of tax evasion or tax fraud can face severe consequences, including jail time and large fines. Most tax crimes carry a maximum prison sentence of five years, and fines up to $100,000. If you are facing allegations of tax evasion, the best thing you can do is to consult with an attorney who is knowledgeable about tax law and is equipped to defend your rights and find an optimal outcome for your case.

If you suspect you are being investigated for tax fraud, you should reach out to a defense lawyer right away. You can assume you might be under suspicion if you have been contacted by the IRS or State Tax Authority. If anyone in authority approaches you to ask you a few simple questions, you should consider not responding until you talk with your lawyer. If you are experiencing an audit and you know of some areas that might cause an issue, this is another good reason to contact a defense lawyer. In the end, it cannot hurt to talk with a lawyer to see what your options are and how serious your case might be. Your lawyer can help you walk through the criminal accusation and make sure your rights and freedoms are protected every step of the way.

If you have not filed taxes in several years, the IRS sees this as a serious problem, but you may not be out of luck just yet. If you know that you have not filed taxes in a while and the IRS has not contacted you yet, you should contact a tax lawyer to protect you from self-incrimination and to help you develop a successful strategy forward. Gather your financial records and determine how many years you have to file. The IRS usually requires the last 6 years, so if you have more than that, you shouldn’t have to go back further. Your lawyer can also play an important role in negotiating with the IRS to reduce the amount of tax returns you have to file. Once you and your lawyer have decided which tax returns to file, prepare them and turn them in. From there, your lawyer can negotiate with the IRS on the payments that you owe.

CPAs and tax attorneys both work in a similar field, but their roles have important distinctions. If you need accounting or tax preparation help, a CPA will be your best bet. They can help you file current or back tax returns, keep your books, support you during an audit, and more. CPAs have no formal legal training and cannot be your legal advocate. In the event that you are facing legal risks when it comes to your taxes such as a criminal tax investigation, you should reach out to a tax lawyer. Your lawyer can help you determine a plan if you have not filed taxes in several years, represent you if you are being investigated for a crime, protect your rights through the litigation process, and more. In general, if you need legal help, contact a tax lawyer. If you need help bookkeeping or preparing your taxes, reach out to a CPA.