Urbana Tax Fraud Lawyer
Each year, the federal government loses millions of dollars to tax fraud. Tax fraud can occur in many different ways, and because no one individual is hurt, people often think it is a victimless crime. Federal prosecutors and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) do not see it that way. Even making a minor error, such as omitting income you forgot about or making an incorrect deduction, is sometimes enough for the government to charge you with tax fraud. If you are convicted, you could face serious criminal penalties. An Urbana tax fraud lawyer can help you avoid them.
What Is Tax Fraud?
Tax fraud is defined very simply in the federal code. Classified as a white-collar crime, tax fraud refers to any intentional attempt to evade or defeat tax in any way. Every year, businesses, individuals, and even government agencies are charged with tax fraud. The broad definition allows the IRS to charge people in several different scenarios. These include:
- Underreporting or misrepresenting your taxable income
- Intentionally failing to file income taxes in an appropriate amount of time
- Inflating expenses to lower the amount of taxable income
- Hiding assets or property
- Including personal expenses with business expenses to lower taxable income
- Claiming fraudulent refunds
- Underreporting sales
- Preparing tax returns and company books with false information, undocumented numbers, and other incorrect information
How Can an Urbana Tax Fraud Lawyer Help?
It is important to work with a lawyer any time you are facing criminal charges. When facing federal charges, it is even more crucial. Federal prosecutors, the IRS, and other government agencies have a vast amount of resources at their disposal. They will use these aggressively to secure a conviction against you. They might also not treat you fairly or respect your rights during the investigation. A lawyer will always protect your rights and make sure government agencies follow proper procedures.
A lawyer experienced with these types of charges will also know the defenses that can fight back against these charges. For example, the prosecution has to show that you intentionally committed fraud. If you simply made an error, a lawyer will know how to prove that to give you the best chance of beating the charges. A lawyer will also review the evidence the prosecution is going to use against you and challenge it, which can greatly strengthen your case. At times, this can even be done before trial, so you are never even formally indicted.
Call Our Tax Fraud Lawyer in Urbana for a Free Case Evaluation
At Patel Law, PC, our Urbana tax fraud lawyer knows the harsh consequences you face if convicted and how to defend your case so you can avoid those harsh consequences. With his in-depth knowledge of tax law and the U.S. Code, our seasoned attorney can prepare a solid defense that will give you the best chance of retaining your freedom. Call us today at 217.384.1111 or contact us online to schedule a free review of your case and learn more about how we can help.
