Whether you are blindsided or expecting it, if the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) notifies you that you are under investigation for tax evasion, seek immediate help from our attorney, the only tax crime lawyer in the area, with a successful record of resolving federal charges.
Your interaction with the IRS could begin innocently with an audit for honest discrepancies, or a whistleblower working for your company may report you if they suspect tax fraud. However it happens, you should be aware of the warning signs of an upcoming tax evasion investigation in Richmond and take action to resolve the issue immediately.
While both tax fraud and tax evasion are intentional acts to avoid paying legitimate tax bills, tax fraud is generally a civil matter and includes several scenarios, while tax evasion is a felony crime in which you overtly and willfully employ devious tactics to avoid paying taxes. As a crime, the burden of proof is much higher for tax evasion because more is at stake than a big fine. Your future and freedom are at stake, with prison time of up to five years on the table. Prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you evaded paying taxes. But, how do you know if the IRS suspects you? Are there overt or subtle warning signs of an impending tax evasion investigation in Richmond?
An IRS deep dive into your tax returns can easily begin if you are audited, even for honest mistakes that you will have to explain. This is initially a civil matter, and our tax lawyer can often resolve it quickly with evidence gathered to support your being exonerated or fined. If agents are still suspicious, the IRS will enlist its Criminal Investigation Division (CID) to visit your home or business and speak with you, and ask for tax documentation. Interest deepens if CID agents find:
These warning signs can be found in the Internal Revenue Manual (IRM) under IRM § 25.1.2.3. At this stage, CID investigators will turn the matter over to the Department of Justice (DOJ), and your case will be investigated further and criminal charges brought if the DOJ deems appropriate. These warning signs may tip off the CID, but the tax evasion investigation may proceed with other upcoming signs in Richmond.
The IRS may or may not notify you that the case against you has turned from civil to criminal, but there will be signs. If you work with an IRS agent on a civil fraud action and they suddenly end the investigation but do not issue a final report, the investigation may have turned criminal. You may also learn that a CID agent has contacted someone with knowledge of your finances, or you abruptly stop hearing anything from the IRS. Do not ignore these warning signs of a tax evasion investigation in Richmond. If you have not already done so, contact an experienced tax crime attorney now.
The IRS has almost unlimited resources to ferret out and track down taxpayers who purposely avoid paying what the IRS says they owe. Whether you made an honest miscalculation that caused you to underreport your taxes, or willfully tried to save money by misreporting them, our attorney is dedicated to resolving your dilemma and guiding you going forward so you stay in compliance. After spotting the warning signs of an upcoming tax evasion investigation in Richmond, call us to obtain top-notch advocacy.