The crime of tax evasion comes with some stiff penalties upon conviction. Some people may intend to engage in tax evasion to pay as little in taxes as possible. However, others in Naperville, Illinois, might not realize tax evasion is occurring.
If you fail to learn as much as possible about state and federal tax laws, you could accidentally commit tax evasion. For example, listening to the poor advice of others instead of learning about the law sometimes lands people in trouble with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
4 examples of sometimes accidental tax evasion
Although it may seem harmless to fudge your tax returns a tiny bit, the law feels otherwise. If someone convinces you it is okay to take any of the following “harmless” actions, refuse immediately, and find out the legal means of filing your taxes. Tax evasion in any form is a felony offense, punishable by prison time, fines or both. Some of the more common mistakes people make on their taxes that land them in hot water include:
- Exaggerating tax deductions is not legal and results in more than a slap on the wrist.
- Destroying your financial records, even if you merely want to clear up some clutter, could lead to charges of tax evasion.
- Putting property in another person’s name may be considered tax evasion if you fail to follow the proper legal rules.
- Hiding or not disclosing all sources of income is also illegal in most circumstances.
As we have discussed before in our blog, the opposing side must prove that you willfully and intentionally committed tax evasion to result in a conviction. For many, overcoming the intent element is a successful way to avoid a conviction for tax evasion. It is also extremely beneficial to learn about the tax laws in your location.