Trusted Defense For Complex Criminal Cases Tax Fraud

Orange County Tax Fraud Attorney

Providing Zealous and Experienced Legal Representation

In the face of tax fraud charges, you will need a dedicated and knowledgeable defense lawyer on your side to fight aggressively for you in court. Tax fraud can lead to profound consequences as a result of a small detail in your tax return or documents. Criminal defense attorney Diane C. Bass has years of experience and professional knowledge litigating state and federal cases, so you can trust her to defend you tenaciously against your charges.

If tax issues bring you before a judge in a courtroom, you must understand that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) attorney will aggressively pursue penalties and try to prove you guilty of a number of types of crimes. Federal defense attorneys can be your strongest legal ally in and out of a courtroom if facing criminal charges for tax evasion and other tax problems. The Diane C. Bass law firm is well-equipped to defend you and your Orange County businesses against tax fraud charges and any other white-collar crime.

Just because the IRS tax attorneys have accused you of criminal charges does not mean that you are automatically guilty. In any criminal tax prosecution, you are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Establish your confidential attorney-client relationship with tax lawyer Diane C. Bass today by calling to schedule your consultation for legal advice.

What Constitutes Tax Fraud?

Tax cases can be divided into civil or criminal cases. In civil cases, the government might claim that the taxpayer made a mistake, calculation error, or acted negligently in the preparation and filing of their taxes. In a criminal case, the government could accuse the taxpayer of taking intentional actions in order to avoid having to pay the taxes owed. Criminal cases are much more serious and involve the possibility of substantial fines as well as prison sentences. Civil cases may just involve a fine but not the full criminal justice process or potential prison time.

Some of the most common forms of tax fraud in the United States are:

evading state taxes and federal tax evasion;
failing to file tax returns.
failing to pay taxes;
filing a false return;
filing false documents;
not collecting employment taxes;

Note that there is an important difference between tax fraud and a mistake – tax fraud and tax evasion involve wrongdoing that was intentional. So, a careless accident when filing does not constitute tax fraud. Some behavior that may signal tax fraud activity include:

concealing assets;
doing business in cash;
not cooperating with tax authorities;
not keeping records;
not filing tax returns;
not making estimated tax payments;
understating income

Do You Need to Hire a Defense Attorney for Accusations of Federal Tax Evasion?

The IRS could conduct a thorough investigation to find the truth in a potential tax issue and may make a tax audit. If a legal issue is discovered, the IRS may make further investigation into the tax situation to better determine if fraud has occurred and if the federal government should file criminal charges.

If a tax audit determines that federal tax evasion has been committed, the IRS tax lawyers will pursue charges which may result in a convicted defendant seeing time in federal prison. Across Southern California and in the city of Irvine, tax evasion charges are aggressively fought over. With experienced criminal defense attorneys, you could see charges dismissed or reduced to misdemeanor charges.

While one may think that they are knowledgeable and well-intentioned enough to speak for themselves or their businesses in a court of law, it is highly advisable to seek a lawyers’ legal advice and courtroom representation. Your criminal defense attorney is bound by a confidential attorney-client relationship and will do their best to argue your federal tax fraud case and reach an outcome that serves your best interests. Contact the firm of defense attorney Diane C. Bass to schedule your consultation.

What Are Potential Penalties and Sentencing for Tax Fraud?

In civil tax cases, the penalties typically arise after a state or federal tax investigation notices a problem in personal or business tax returns, from glaring mistakes to simple calculation errors. Civil tax cases may result in no penalty at all or may result in a variety of fines. For instance, forgetting to file a return will result in a 5% penalty based on the amount of taxes due per month, while intentionally filing a fraudulent return can result in a 75% penalty.

Individuals committing criminal tax fraud, such as under-reporting income, overestimating expenses or deductions, failing to collect employees’ taxes, making false statements to investigators in a state or federal investigation, violating employer withholding requirements, or not filing a yearly tax return, could face serious fines determined by the IRS attorneys. Note that if the IRS proves that a person did not file so that they could evade taxes, the government may pursue a felony conviction with a fine as high as $100,000.

In general, a conviction for a single count of tax evasion can result in a prison term of up to five years, and convictions on multiple counts of the same crime or multiple violations of different crimes can lengthen the sentence. The fines upon conviction could go up to $250,000 for individuals and $500,000 for corporations. Other tax fraud crimes have maximum penalties of $100,000 for individuals and $250,000 for corporations. In many cases, tax fraud cases can also involve restitution orders to repay the amount of taxes they failed to pay to the state or federal government.

Federal law may also allow a court to order someone convicted of tax fraud to pay for the costs of prosecution, which can easily reach $5,000 or more. IRS attorneys may also construct payment options that an individual is bound to so that they may pay off any back taxes for years in which payments were missed.

Courts may also sentence someone convicted of tax fraud to probation, which usually lasts at least a year. Those on probation must comply with the court’s orders or risk having their probation extended, paying additional fines, being sent to prison, or facing other penalties. Terms of probation commonly include regularly meeting with and reporting to a probation officer, contacting the officer in the case of arrest, maintaining employment, and a range of other requirements.

Tax evasion attorneys may be able to offer a plea bargain that sees certain charges reduced or dismissed entirely. If you are under investigation or have been recently convicted, contact the law firm of criminal defense attorney Diane C. Bass to schedule your consultation.

Understanding the Difference Between Civil Tax Fraud and Criminal Tax Fraud

Tax fraud, a serious offense, comes in two primary forms: civil tax fraud and criminal tax fraud. Understanding the distinction between these two can help taxpayers recognize the severity and potential consequences of their actions.

Civil tax fraud involves the intentional act of understating taxes owed or overstating deductions on tax returns. This type of fraud is usually identified during an audit by the IRS, which then assesses penalties and interest on the unpaid taxes. Civil tax fraud does not involve criminal charges or imprisonment. Instead, the penalties are financial, often including a significant percentage of the unpaid tax amount. The IRS must prove that the taxpayer intentionally attempted to evade taxes, which is a challenging burden of proof but is addressed through a preponderance of the evidence. Typical examples include underreporting income, claiming false deductions, or failing to file tax returns.

On the other hand, criminal tax fraud is far more severe and involves deliberate actions with fraudulent intent to evade paying taxes. This type of fraud is investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation Division and can result in criminal charges, leading to prosecution. If found guilty, individuals may face substantial fines, restitution, and imprisonment. The government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the taxpayer intentionally committed fraud. Common instances of criminal tax fraud include falsifying financial documents, using fake Social Security numbers, and concealing income in offshore accounts.

The key distinction lies in the intent and the consequences. While civil tax fraud results in monetary penalties, criminal tax fraud can lead to imprisonment and severe financial penalties. Both types of fraud carry serious repercussions, but criminal tax fraud is treated with a higher level of severity due to its deliberate and deceptive nature. Taxpayers should be aware of these differences and ensure compliance with tax laws to avoid facing these significant consequences.

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Contact the Law Office of Diane C. Bass to Schedule Your Consultation

Tax fraud cases are serious matters at the state and federal levels. If you have been accused of committing tax fraud, whether for understating your income or not filing your tax return, it is critical that you consult an experienced attorney to build a defense for you to combat fines and jail time.

Criminal defense attorney Diane C. Bass can help you fight your civil or criminal tax fraud charges and defend you aggressively in court against the attorneys for the IRS.

To schedule your case evaluation with attorney Diane C. Bass, call (949) 990-4195.

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Why Choose Law Office of Diane C. Bass?

Top-Rated & Award-Winning Legal Representation
We consistently deliver results that exceed expectations, earning the trust of clients and accolades from the legal community.
25+ Years of Criminal Defense Legal Experience
With over 25 years of criminal defense legal experience, we bring a wealth of seasoned insight and a proven track record of success to every case we handle.
Extensive Knowledge & Experience With Federal Cases
With extensive knowledge and experience in federal cases, we offer comprehensive legal strategies tailored to the complexities of each situation.
An Outstanding Reputation Amongst Clients & Peers
Our reputation among clients and peers alike reflects our unwavering dedication to achieving the best possible outcomes for those we represent.
Featured in the Media
Attorney Bass is frequently featured in media outlets such as The Washington Post, LA Times, ESPN, Forbes, the Wall Street Journal and more.
Track Record of Success
With a track record of handling some of the most significant cases in the Central District of California, our firm brings unmatched experience to every client's defense.

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