Herman Law, P.A. is the premier white collar criminal defense law firm serving clients in Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and throughout South Florida. We are well versed in the state and federal tax laws and have extensive experience defending clients against tax evasion, tax fraud and other charges.
What is tax evasion?
It is important to note that there is a difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion. Tax avoidance is the lawful mitigation of tax liabilities by individuals and businesses using means that have been approved by state and federal tax authorities, such as taking legitimate tax deductions and tax credits.
Tax evasion, on the other hand, involves the deliberate misrepresentation of assets in an effort to avoid paying taxes. This includes activities such as:
- Failing to file tax returns
- Understating income and assets
- Overstating tax deductions
- Filing false tax returns
- Sales tax fraud
- Failure to pay employment withholding taxes
In addition, tax evasion is frequently associated with other white collar crimes such as mortgage fraud, money laundering and insurance fraud.
State and Federal Tax Evasion Penalties
The penalties for tax evasion depend on whether it is a civil or criminal offense and the amount of taxes that were not paid. In Florida, tax evasion can involve income tax filings by individuals or a business failing to remit sales taxes. In this regard, sales tax fraud occurs when a business fails to file taxes or pay taxes owed, submits fraudulent tax records, or fails to report accurate gross and exempt sales.
In any event, tax evasion at the state level can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies. In addition, to paying any taxes that were owed, penalties include:
- First-Degree Felony – Amount greater than $100,000, punishable by up to 30 years in state prison and fines up to $10,000
- Second Degree Felony – Amount greater than $20,000, but less than $100,000, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and fines up to $10,000
- Third Degree Felony – Amount more than $300, but less than $20,000, punishable by up to five years in prison and fines up to $5,000
- First and Second-Degree Misdemeanors – Amount less than $300, punishable by 60 days to 1 year in jail, and fines between $500 and $1,000.
At the federal level, both civil and criminal penalties apply for tax evasion, including fines up to $100,000 ($500,000 in the case of a corporation) and up to five years in federal prison. In addition, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can add monetary penalties to the tax bill, place a lien on real property, or implement a tax levy and seize income, financial accounts, and property.
Defending Tax Evasion Charges in South Florida
At Herman Law, we have extensive experience defending clients against state and federal tax evasion charges. In order to pursue criminal charges, the government must show that you intended to avoid paying your tax obligation and that you were aware of the consequences of not paying. Possible defenses include:
- You did not intend to defraud the government, but made a mistake calculating the taxes
- There is insufficient evidence to establish intent
- The statute of limitations has passed
- You lacked sufficient knowledge of tax law to commit fraud
- You have a good prior history of filing tax returns
Tax Evasion Criminal Defense Attorney West Palm Beach
If you are facing charges of tax evasion, tax fraud, or any other state or federal tax crime, don’t fight the government alone. Depending on the circumstances, we may be able to negotiate a tax resolution with the Florida Department of Revenue or the IRS. Regardless of the nature of the charges, our experienced attorneys will aggressively fight to protect your rights, your assets, and your freedom. Call our office today for a free consultation.
Herman Law, P.A. serves clients in Ft, Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Martin, Okeechobee and Palm Beach Counties and throughout South Florida