For many, tax season is an incredibly overwhelming and frustrating time. Not only do you have to compile all the necessary paperwork, but filing your taxes can be an all-day event for many. However, while some may worry that a simple mistake will have the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) knocking down their door, others intentionally avoid or falsify their tax returns. If you’ve been charged with tax evasion in Texas, you must connect with experienced Houston white-collar crime lawyers to explore your legal options. Keep reading to learn more about the charges you can face if you don’t pay taxes and the potential penalties if convicted.
What Warrants Tax Evasion Charges?
Generally, any time someone deliberately does not pay their taxes or manipulates their information to pay less than what they owe, they can be charged with tax evasion. It’s important to understand that Texas is a handful of states that do not require a personal income tax form. As such, tax evasion is charged primarily to business owners.
When a business owner purposely does not pay their taxes or intentionally falsifies documents and records to underreport their income to the government, they can be charged with this offense.
What Are the Penalties if I Don’t Pay Taxes?
Texas takes this offense very seriously. As such, the following penalties apply:
- Less than $50: Class C misdemeanor
- Between $50 and $500: Class B misdemeanor
- Between $500 and $1,500: Class A misdemeanor
- Between $1,500 and $20,000: State jail felony, carrying six months to one year in jail
- Between $20,000 and $100,000: Third-degree felony, carrying two to ten years in jail
- Between $100,000 and $200,000: Second-degree felony, carrying two to twenty years in jail
- Greater than $200,000: First-degree felony, carrying five years to ninety-nine (life) in prison
It’s also important to understand that tax evasion is also commonly charged in conjunction with other crimes, like embezzlement or money laundering. As such, you can face additional consequences for those crimes,
Can an Attorney Help Me if I’m Charged?
If you’ve been charged with tax evasion because you did not file or manipulated your documents to pay less than what you owe, you must connect with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. As you can see, the penalties for this crime can be incredibly intense, so it’s in your best interest to enlist the help of an attorney who can fight for your rights during these challenging times.
At the Sparks Law Firm, PC, we understand that mistakes happen. That’s why we are committed to fighting for the best interest of our clients going through these challenging times. Connect with our dedicated legal team today to learn how we can assist you throughout these complex legal matters to fight for the best possible outcome for your unique circumstances. Reach out today to learn how we can fight for you.