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by: James Dean
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Word Count: 425
Date: Mon, 24 May 2010 Time: 2:55 PM
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Every government relies on the taxes dues from its citizens and businesses but there a number that try to avoid this responsibility. This is of course against the law and a person of company found attempting this act is committing a crime. Crimes of this nature are treated seriously and those guilty can expect the full force of the law as it undermines the running of a country. Most often these so called 'clean crimes' are carried out by what are considered respectable people that have not been in trouble with the law in the past.
The crime of Tax Fraud covers a wide range of crimes that include the serious offence of tax evasion to the more minor one of non-filing of a tax return. If you find yourself being investigated for tax fraud then you will need a lawyer to represent you; someone who is a specialist in this area of law.
A person must not mistake a tax lawyer with a tax fraud lawyer as their purpose is different and their services are generally employed just to protect their clients tax interests if they have been accused of fraud. Often people or companies that just suspect the Internal Revenue Service is investigating their tax records will use the services of an attorney prior to any charges being levied. Imprisonment is not always necessary though and a good tax fraud lawyer will try to negotiate a settlement between the authorities and his client so that their liability is lessened.
Strangely, not all cases of tax fraud are carried out with intent to defraud the government but are done in ignorance of tax laws. Some individuals and firms also fall foul of poor advice for their tax planning form the tax specialists they employ to represent them.
While this can be used as mitigating circumstances hey will still be held responsible but it is more likely that charges will be dropped or reduced. It should go without saying that only advisers who are accredited should be employed with such an important matter, especially when negotiating with the Internal Revenue Service.
Tax fraud lawyers often put across the point that prosecution and imprisonment will not necessarily recover lost tax revenue but this method should not be relied on to win a case. When this line of reasoning is well presented, the authorities might settle for a compromise by accepting payments in instalments or waiving off a part of the tax dues instead of prosecuting them.
