Top Smyrna, GA Federal Tax Fraud Lawyers Near You
Experience Matters When So Much Is On The Line. Representing Clients In All States For Federal Criminal Defense
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As A Former Federal Prosecutor, Attorney Rice Knows What It Takes to Help You Find the Results You Deserve.
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Get The Personalization AND Experience You Need To Win Your Criminal Defense Case
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Fed Trouble? Free Consult. Former Prosecutor & Team Former Federal Agents. Call/Text 24/7. Immediate Response Guaranteed!
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Partner with the 'A' Team: Former Federal Prosecutors, FBI Agents & Army JAGs Defending the Accused in Serious Criminal Matters
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2392 N Decatur Road, Decatur, GA 30033
Those seeking legal help with Federal Tax Fraud can reach out to Shein, Brandenburg & Schrope, a local practice representing people in Smyrna, Georgia.
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3151 Maple Drive NE, Suite 210, Atlanta, GA 30305
The Rice Law Firm, LLC helps Smyrna clients with their Federal Tax Fraud needs.
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315 Washington Avenue Northeast, Marietta, GA 30060
For legal issues concerning Federal Tax Fraud, let Lisa Wells Law Firm, a local practice in Smyrna, Georgia, help you find a solution.
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33 S. Main Street, Suite 300, Alpharetta, GA 30009
A law firm in Smyrna, Georgia, Briskin, Cross & Sanford, LLC experienced in helping clients with Federal Tax Fraud issues.
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310 Tanner Street, Carrollton, GA 30117
912 Holcomb Bridge Rd, Suite 203, Roswell, GA 30076
3348 Peachtree Rd NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326
1331 Spring St NW, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30309
3424 Peachtree Rd NE, Suite 1200, Atlanta, GA 30326
999 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1500, Atlanta, GA 30309
1075 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1700, Atlanta, GA 30309
1075 Peachtree St NE, Suite 3000, Atlanta, GA 30309
1230 Peachtree St. NE, Suite 1700, Atlanta, GA 30309
1230 Peachtree St NE, Suite 1900, Atlanta, GA 30309
950 The Lenox Building, 3399 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30326-1120
1170 Peachtree Street, NE, Suite 2400, Atlanta, GA 30309-7676
511 East Paces Ferry Road, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30305
1180 Peachtree Street, NE, Suite 1600, Atlanta, GA 30309-3521
3340 Peachtree Rd NE, Suite 1800, Atlanta, GA 30326
55 Atlanta St SE, Suite 417, Marietta, GA 30060
4279 Roswell Rd NE, Suite 208-352, Atlanta, GA 30342
5050 Union Street, Suite 397, Union City, GA 30291
1230 Peachtree St, Suite 1200, Atlanta, GA 30309
75 14th Street NE, Suite 2130, Atlanta, GA 30309
1201 West Peachtree, Suite 1100, Atlanta, GA 30309-3232
Smyrna Federal Tax Fraud Information
Lead Counsel independently verifies Federal Tax Fraud attorneys in Smyrna and checks their standing with Georgia bar associations.
Our Verification Process and Criteria
Ample Experience
Attorneys must meet stringent qualifications and prove they practice in the area of law they’re verified in.Good Standing
Be in good standing with their bar associations and maintain a clean disciplinary record.Annual Review
Submit to an annual review to retain their Lead Counsel Verified status.Client Commitment
Pledge to follow the highest quality client service and ethical standards.
What Constitutes Tax Fraud?
Tax fraud involves the willful failure to pay taxes. According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), tax fraud is an intentional wrongdoing by the taxpayer, with the intent to evade paying taxes owed through misrepresentation of material facts. Tax fraud requires an intent to commit fraud or evade tax payment. Making a mistake on your tax forms or filing your taxes late are generally not considered fraud.
There are many ways a taxpayer can commit tax fraud. Common types of tax fraud may involve:
- Failure to report income
- Failure to file a tax return
- Filing a false return
- Assisting others in committing tax fraud
- Failure to pay employment taxes
- Fraudulent accounting to avoid taxes
- Overstating deductions
- Hiding money in offshore accounts
- Making fraudulent deductions
How Does the IRS Investigate Tax Fraud?
The IRS has a Criminal Investigation Division to conduct criminal investigations for tax fraud. There are several ways the IRS can be alerted to possible fraud. Tax fraud can show up when investigators are looking into other federal crimes, like money laundering or wire fraud. Fraud can be identified through computer algorithms that look for signs of potential fraud and notify tax officials to look more closely at the taxpayer and their return. Auditors and revenue collectors may also report suspected criminal fraud.
The IRS also has a whistleblower office to take reports from the public, including employees, co-workers, neighbors, or even family members who report suspected tax fraud. The whistleblower program provides an award for between 15% and 30% of the total proceeds recovered by the IRS.
When the IRS opens a criminal investigation, they may review financial records, conduct surveillance, take out search warrants, and subpoena records from financial institutions to gather evidence. If there’s enough evidence to support criminal charges, the Department of Justice or the United States Attorney may take the case to trial.
What Is the Punishment for Tax Fraud?
Tax fraud is a criminal offense. Most tax fraud offenses are treated as felonies. For example, tax evasion under IRC § 7201 is a felony, with penalties including up to $100,000 in fines (up to $500,000 in fines for corporations) and a jail sentence of up to 5 years. Other felony tax fraud charges that can include federal prison time involve:
- Felony failure to collect or pay over tax
- Felony failure to report certain cash transactions
- Felony filing false tax returns
A tax fraud conviction can also result in fines, paying the legal costs for the government, and restitution.
How Much Will I Owe for Tax Fraud?
Tax fraud can result in criminal penalties and civil penalties. Penalties for a civil offense generally include fines, fees, or money damages. Under the U.S. Code, the IRS can impose a fraud penalty of 75% of the portion of the fraud underpayment added to the tax. For example, if a taxpayer fraudulently underpaid $40,000 in taxes, the IRS could add an additional $30,000 fraud penalty, for a total of $70,000 owed.
How Far Back Can the IRS Go In Tax Fraud?
The IRS generally does not go back more than 3 years to audit federal tax returns. If there is a substantial error, the IRS may be able to go back 6 years. However, there is no time limit in cases of tax fraud. If the IRS identifies fraud in the tax filings of a 30-year-old corporation, the IRS could go back 30 years to collect fraudulent underpayments and any additional penalties.
When Should I Hire a Tax Fraud Attorney?
The time to think about hiring a tax fraud attorney is when you learn about a possible IRS criminal investigation. You may not want to wait until fraud charges are filed. Having a tax attorney represent you during the investigation may be able to help you avoid saying the wrong thing that could end up being used against you.
Can a Tax Attorney Negotiate With the IRS?
There are several ways a tax attorney can help you in a tax fraud case. Even before the case goes to trial, your criminal defense attorney can negotiate with the IRS. Your attorney may be able to negotiate an agreement to pay a set amount of taxes on a payment plan and avoid criminal charges. A tax lawyer may also be able to negotiate to reduce the charges, accept a lesser offense, and avoid jail time.
If you do not want to take a plea agreement, you can still take your case to court. There may be strong legal defenses in your case, to help you avoid a criminal conviction. The prosecutor has the burden of proving every element of the federal offense, beyond a reasonable doubt. If your tax lawyer can introduce a little bit of doubt into the minds of the jurors, you should not be found guilty. Possible defenses to tax fraud charges may include:
- Defendant had a good faith belief that they filed correctly
- Tax errors were committed by mistake or clerical error
- Defendant had no intent to defraud the government
- Evidence was collected through an unlawful search in violation of the defendant’s constitutional rights