Federal Tax Crime Defense Attorney

What Are Some Common Federal Tax Crimes?

Most of us are familiar with the famous words written by Benjamin Franklin “…in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” The federal government would undoubtedly agree. The American tax system is complex, with tentacles that reach from the U.S. federal government down to local school systems. Given the myriad ways in which American individuals and entities are taxed, it should come as no surprise that there are a wide variety of federal criminal offenses involving taxes. 26 U.S. Code § 7201 et seq. governs most federal tax crimes. That section makes it a crime to “willfully attempt in any manner to evade or defeat any tax imposed by this title or the payment thereof.” In practice, common examples of federal tax crimes include:

• Failure to file a tax return.
• Failure to pay taxes due.
• Filing a false tax return.
• Tax fraud
• Failing to report or underreporting income.
• Participating in a money laundering scheme.
• Inflating or falsifying deductions.
• Making false statements related to tax reporting.
• Failing to disclose offshore bank accounts or foreign income/assets.

What Are the Penalties for Federal Tax Crimes?

If convicted under 26 U.S. Code § 7201, you face both a hefty fine and/or imprisonment. As an individual, you can be fined up to $100,000 per offense, while a corporation faces up to a $500,000 fine for each offense. You also face a term of imprisonment of up to five years. If you are also charged and convicted of related offenses, such as money laundering or fraud, you may face additional fines as well as an additional term of imprisonment.

What Is a Target Letter?

If the federal government is investigating you for a federal tax crime, you may receive a “target letter.” Most frequently used in “white collar” crimes, a target letter provides you with important information, including some or all the following:

• Notification that you are the target of a federal grand jury investigation.
• The nature of the criminal offense that is being investigated.
• A request to contact federal authorities.
• A request to produce documents or other evidence.
• Deadlines for responding to requests.

When people are faced with allegations involving tax crimes, they often panic and try to hide or destroy potentially damaging evidence. If you receive a target letter, it is imperative that you resist the urge to panic. Destroying or hiding evidence could lead to additional criminal charges being filed against you. The best thing you can do for yourself and your future is to contact an experienced federal tax crime attorney immediately to discuss how to respond to the letter.

What Defense Strategies Are Used in a Federal Tax Crime Prosecution?

The unique facts involved in your case will determine how your attorney approaches the defense in your federal tax crime prosecution; however, there are some common strategies, such as:

• Proving that your actions were not “willful.”
• Proving that you made an honest mistake.
• Reliance on a tax professional when preparing tax returns.
• Mistake of law.
• Reliance on questionable, but legal, tax loopholes.

Get Help from an Experienced Federal Tax Crime Defense Attorney

The federal tax code is voluminous and extremely complex, making it all too easy for individuals, small business owners, and even multi-national corporations to become the target of a tax crime investigation. If you find yourself under investigation or under arrest for a federal tax crime, you need to protect your rights and your freedom immediately by contacting an experienced federal tax crime defense attorney. Having a skilled and resourceful advocate on your side early on may even prevent an investigation from being elevated to a prosecution.

Attorney David Haas is a former state and federal prosecuting attorney, positions that provided him with first-hand experience and invaluable insight into how federal criminal investigations are conducted and ultimately prosecuted. When your freedom, your finances, and your future are at stake, you need the team at Haas Law. Let us use our experience, resources, and dedication to helping you if you have been targeted in a federal tax crime investigation or you have already been charged with a criminal offense.

Call us at 407-755-7675, chat with us online, or submit our online form today. Because we understand that time is of the essence when federal law enforcement authorities are investigating you, our calls are answered 24 hours a day, allowing you to schedule an appointment as soon as possible to discuss your legal options.