Miami Tax Evasion Charges: IRS Penalties and Sentencing
Miami Tax Evasion Charges: IRS Penalties and Sentencing
Getting charged with tax evasion in Miami can be really scary. The penalties are super harsh–you could end up in prison for years and have to pay huge fines. But there’s hope! Don’t panic. Read this article to understand the charges, penalties, defenses and get advice from a caring human (me!) on how to handle it.
What is Tax Evasion?
Tax evasion–also called tax fraud–is when you intentionally avoid paying taxes that you owe. You may not report income, lie about expenses, hide money offshore, etc. Basically being shady about taxes to keep more money for yourself. The IRS takes this really seriously.
Miami Tax Evasion Penalties
If you’re convicted of tax evasion in Miami, you’ll have to pay back ALL the money you didn’t pay before. Plus you could get fines and jail time. Not fun!
Fines
- If you evaded $301-$20,000 in taxes, up to $5,000 fine
- If you evaded $20,001-$100,000 in taxes, up to $10,000 fine
- If you evaded over $100,000 in taxes, up to $100,000 fine
Jail Time
- If you evaded $301-$20,000 in taxes, up to 5 years in prison
- If you evaded $20,001-$100,000 in taxes, up to 15 years in prison
- If you evaded over $100,000 in taxes, up to 30 years in prison
Yikes! As you can see, the more taxes you evaded, the higher the penalties. 30 years in prison is basically life. Not worth it to cheat on your taxes!
Federal Tax Evasion Penalties
The federal penalties for tax evasion can be just as bad as Florida’s. If you’re convicted under federal law IRC § 7201, you could get:
- Up to 5 years in federal prison
- Up to $100,000 in fines
- Paying all the prosecution costs
So you’d be looking at major fines, years behind bars, and a hefty legal bill. The federal government does not mess around when it comes to tax evasion!
Recent Miami Tax Evasion Cases
Tax evasion charges are on the decline, but people are still getting busted. Here are a few recent cases:
- A Miami business owner got 3 years in prison for employment tax evasion. Ouch! [2]
- A Miami CPA got 39 months in prison for personal and corporate tax evasion. Should’ve known better! [6]
- 6 people in Florida got federal prison time for fake tax refunds. Don’t try to pull a fast one on the IRS! [5]
Defenses Against Tax Evasion
Even though the IRS is powerful, there are some defenses that could get your charges reduced or even dismissed! An experienced tax crime lawyer can help you understand if these might work:
You Made a Mistake
If you can show you didn’t intentionally evade taxes–maybe you misunderstood what to report or made a math error–you may be able to get negligence charges instead of tax evasion. Way better outcome!
Statute of Limitations
The IRS generally has 3 years to charge you with tax evasion. If it’s been longer than that, you may be off the hook! But don’t wait around–talk to a lawyer ASAP.
You Paid Enough Taxes
Even if you fudged some numbers, if your expenses reduced your total tax liability, you could fight the charges. An attorney can help figure out if this applies to you.
Getting Help with Miami Tax Evasion
If you’ve been charged with tax evasion, stay calm and call an experienced criminal tax defense lawyer right away. They can help protect your rights, build defenses, and try to reduce penalties. It’s scary, but you’ve got this! A caring legal expert can walk you through it.
Some lawyers to consider:
- Ralph Behr – Experienced tax evasion defense attorney in Miami[1]
- Tony Moss – Miami lawyer focusing on tax crime defense[3]
- The Hansen Law Firm – Miami tax fraud defense attorneys[4]
Don’t go through this alone. You deserve help. Take a deep breath and call an attorney today. You’ve got people in your corner, I promise!