Maryland Criminal Tax Attorney
The IRS Criminal Investigation Division (CI) is devoted to probing around for possible criminal violations of the Internal Revenue Code and related financial crimes
It’s made up of highly trained forensic financial investigators who conduct criminal tax investigations into individuals and businesses suspected of tax and financial crimes. If you are charged with a tax crime, you’ll need legal help. Navigating the complexities of tax crimes can be overwhelming without the guidance of a knowledgeable tax attorney.
An experienced attorney at Ledingham Law can analyze your case, determine the potential consequences you may face, and develop a defense strategy tailored to your specific situation. Contact us at (240) 673-6869 today!
Types of Criminal Tax Matters
Ledingham Law‘s legal team provides representation to clients in Maryland who are under investigation for a wide range of common tax crimes. These may be:
Federal Tax Evasion
Tax evasion involves intentionally underreporting income or hiding assets to avoid paying taxes owed. A conviction can get you a fine of up to $100,000 and five years in prison.
Federal Tax Fraud
Federal tax fraud involves knowingly providing false information on tax returns, such as inflated deductions or fabricated expenses. The consequences also include potential fines and jail time.
White Collar Crimes
White-collar crimes include embezzlement, insider trading, securities fraud, and money laundering. To avoid conviction, you need specialized legal experience. Criminal tax prosecution can lead to additional penalties, such as asset seizures, property forfeitures, and loss of professional licenses. These consequences can have long-lasting effects on an individual's financial stability, reputation, and overall quality of life.
What is the Difference Between Civil Tax Matters and Criminal Tax Matters?
You can be charged with civil tax fraud when you underreport income, fail to file your tax returns, or overstate deductions. Criminal tax fraud charges apply when you willfully and intentionally evade tax by committing illegal acts like falsifying documents or deliberately hiding income.
Generally, civil tax fraud involves recklessness and negligence, while criminal tax fraud involves intentional tax evasion. Upon conviction, civil tax fraud results in penalties against the taxpayer, such as a tax levy and payment of unpaid taxes.
In civil tax cases, the standard is a preponderance of the evidence, which means that the IRS must only show that a fact is “highly” certain. With criminal tax fraud, the consequences could include imprisonment. And when the court passes its judgment, the standard is “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
CONSEQUENCES OF CRIMINAL TAX IN MARYLAND
After auditing a tax return, the IRS decides whether to impose civil penalties or prosecute for tax fraud or evasion. If you’re charged and convicted of tax evasion, you can face jail time.
Generally, most tax crimes carry a maximum five-year prison term and a fine of $250,000. In some instances, a penalty of 75% of the tax due can be imposed. The IRS can impose civil penalties, criminal penalties, or both.
The IRS will decide to prosecute only in cases where it’s clear that the taxpayer was breaking the law intentionally and was not forthcoming during the tax audit. As such, it is very important to have an experienced tax defense attorney from the beginning of the audit process.
Ledingham Law can negotiate with the IRS, present the evidence in your favor, discuss voluntary disclosures for unrelated years, as well as defend you if you are criminally prosecuted.
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
Being selected for an audit is arguably one of the worst things that could happen to a small business owner, or at least that’s how I felt.
It felt a lot less stressful when I hired Jess to communicate with the IRS on my behalf. Her extensive knowledge of tax law was evident when she would educate not just me but also the RA on the proper law.
She went the extra mile every day – with driving to me, essentially holding my hand through an interview, and making sure all responses to the RA were effective.
If you get audited – I strongly recommend having her by your side.
– Parul G.
As a small business owner, I had an enormous amount of questions. I needed to know how to book keep, claim deductions and credits, navigate selling online, providing services in different jurisdictions, and filing quarterly taxes.
A small business requires an enormous attention to detail and Jessica helped me be meticulous in strategizing my tax landscape and know the necessary laws and regulations.
I highly recommend her to anyone with tax questions.
– Nate W.
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Facing IRS tax disputes? The consequences can be severe—you need trusted legal help. Ledingham Law provides experienced tax defense to protect your rights and resolve your case.
