Tax Fraud
Virginia Tax Attorney - Tax Fraud Investigations and Indictments
The federal government is committed to uncovering and combatting tax fraud schemes. Taxpayers who take intentional actions to hide their money and evade their tax obligations are likely to face stiff fines and penalties, including criminal prosecution and substantial prison sentences. Federal tax fraud covers a wide range of activities, including:
- Tax Evasion
- Return Preparer fraud
- General Tax Fraud
- Offshore Income Fraud
- Misuse of Trusts
- Corporate Tax Fraud
- Employment Tax Evasion Schemes
- Abusive Tax Shelters
- Questionable Refunds
- Identity Theft
- Non-filer Frivolous Arguments
Tax Fraud Involves Intentional Wrongdoing
Tax fraud involves far more than a simple mistake. Tax fraud occurs when a taxpayer knowingly and intentionally defrauds the government by not properly reporting and paying their tax obligations. In order to determine whether a taxpayer may have committed tax fraud, the IRS will look for certain indicators pointing to deliberate wrongdoing on the part of the taxpayer, including:
- Intentionally underreporting or excluding income
- Over reporting deductions
- Possessing two sets of financial records
- Making false entries in books and records
- Classifying and reporting personal expenses as business expenses
- Claiming false deductions
- Transferring or concealing assets or income
The Penalties for Committing Tax Fraud are Severe
The fines and penalties associated with tax fraud can be severe. For example, the willful attempt to evade or defeat a tax obligation can result in a felony conviction with the taxpayer being imprisoned for up to five years and/or fined a maximum of $250,000 ($500,000 for corporations). The penalty for willfully making fraudulent or false statements to the IRS can involve imprisonment for up to three years and/or a fine of $250,000 for individual taxpayers ($500,000 for corporations).
Thorn Law Group: Guiding Clients through Criminal Tax Fraud Investigations
Tax fraud is a very serious matter. If you are under investigation by the IRS or have been charged with a tax fraud crime, you should consult with a criminal tax attorney immediately. An experienced lawyer can explain your rights and provide you with skilled advice and counsel at every stage of the process.
The attorneys at Thorn Law Group have decades of experience helping individual taxpayers, tax professionals, businesses, trusts and other organizations successfully resolve serious criminal tax matters. We represent clients throughout Virginia, the United States and many jurisdictions around the world. Our lawyers understand how the federal government investigates and prosecutes all types of criminal tax violations, including federal tax fraud and tax evasion. We guide our clients through all stages of the investigation, cooperating with IRS investigators to the extent required by law and raising all available defenses, including the privilege against self-incrimination. Should criminal tax charges be filed against a client, our legal team is well-positioned to develop and present a strong and compelling case before a judge or jury.
Contact an Experienced Criminal Tax Defense Team
Thorn Law Group is committed to helping taxpayers who have become the target of an IRS fraud investigation or are facing criminal charges involving an alleged tax-related crime. Early involvement by a skilled criminal tax lawyer can play a critical role in achieving an effective resolution in your case. Contact our Virginia office today to schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced tax attorney.
