Tampa Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

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Have You Been Charged With Or Accused Of IRS Tax Fraud?

Tax crimes are defined in Chapter 75 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) of 1986 as crimes, other offenses and forfeitures. Title 26 U.S.C. Section 7201 specifically addresses attempts to evade or defeat taxes. A conviction for this offense may result in up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $100,000 for an individual and up to $500,000 for a corporation – or both – along with the costs of prosecution.

State and federal tax officials have the authority to investigate your taxes via audits and criminal tax investigations. An audit can be a straightforward matter that reveals an honest mistake. Alternatively, an audit can be the beginning of a criminal tax investigation involving the IRS and other federal government agencies such as the FBI or Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

At O'Brien Hatfield, P.A., we have the federal criminal defense experience you need to fight tax evasion and fraud charges. When we get involved in a case early enough, we aim to keep it from moving from the investigative stage to the prosecution stage. Contact our Tampa tax evasion attorneys to learn how we may be able to help you.

Aggressive Defense Against Florida Tax Evasion And Fraud Charges

At O'Brien Hatfield, P.A., we will effectively defend individuals and corporations charged with criminal tax violations and related offenses such as:

  • Filing a false tax return
  • Aiding or assisting in filing a false return
  • Income tax evasion
  • Falsifying records
  • Inflating personal or business expenses
  • Hiding assets or income
  • Sales tax fraud
  • Taking false deductions or unallowable credits
  • Money laundering
  • Embezzlement
  • Failure to report offshore accounts or international income
  • False billing

Other charges that may be assessed in these cases include making false claims, making false statements and mail fraud.

To win a criminal tax violation conviction, the prosecution must prove that the fraud was committed intentionally. Our lawyers strive to prove that the problem was an error or a misinterpretation of the facts. Misinterpreted bookkeeping methods or an accounting error can look like an intentional act at first.

If the fraud was committed intentionally, we can attempt to prevent an indictment or minimize the penalties.

Offshore Bank Accounts – Tampa Criminal Defense Attorneys

U.S. citizens who have foreign bank accounts that they have not disclosed to the IRS can be charged with criminal tax fraud. Offshore and foreign accounts and any income earned must be reported on a U.S. citizen’s income taxes. Because many foreign countries used to refuse to give our government information about Americans with foreign bank accounts, not disclosing these accounts was relatively easy.

In recent years, however, the Tax Division of the U.S. Department of Justice has begun to receive account information from the Swiss government regarding U.S. citizens who use Swiss bank accounts to hide assets. Numerous foreign banks are now being indicted or investigated. As a result, U.S. citizens who have not disclosed offshore accounts may be charged with tax fraud.

To encourage people to come forward, the U.S. government granted an amnesty period. If you voluntarily disclosed and paid taxes on previously undisclosed foreign accounts, you would not be criminally prosecuted for tax crimes. Whether you missed the amnesty period or chose not to participate, you may face considerable fines and a prison sentence if you are convicted of IRS fraud and tax evasion.

Need A Tampa Tax Evasion Or Tax Return Fraud Lawyer?

Our results for many of our clients facing state and federal charges throughout Florida speak for themselves. For a free initial consultation, please call or contact us online.