New Jersey Defense Lawyers for Tax Fraud and Evasion

Aggressive Criminal Defense Attorneys Advocate for Clients Under Investigation for Tax Fraud and Evasion in Essex County, Union County, Morris County, Middlesex County, Bergen County and Somerset County, NJ

Tax fraud and evasion charges can apply in any situation where you are accused of intentionally taking actions designed to help you avoid paying the amount of taxes that are rightfully owed to the government. At the federal level, special agents with the IRS criminal investigation division or the Department of Justice will become involved in cases involving tax fraud or evasion charges. When these entities become involved, it is important to understand exactly how seriously they take allegations of tax fraud and evasion and, in turn, to take knowledge of the mere investigation seriously—understanding that once the IRS’ criminal investigation division feels they have sufficient evidence to indict, they almost always are able to secure a conviction.

Conviction for tax fraud and evasion in North Jersey can result in substantial monetary fines, payment of all taxes owed, penalties and time in prison. Because of this, the advice of experienced counsel is necessary during all phases of the investigation before actual charges of tax fraud or evasion are even levied against you. At Zegas Law, our skilled attorneys have the detailed understanding of tax law necessary to build a smart and effective defense in your case. Importantly, we also have significant experience successfully representing clients accused of fraud and other financial crimes—experience that often becomes extremely valuable in cases involving tax crimes. If you are under investigation for committing tax fraud or evasion at the state or federal level, call or contact our office today to learn more about how we can help in your case.

Understanding the Wide Range of Tax Fraud and Evasion Charges That Can Apply in Essex County, NJ Cases

Charges involving tax fraud and evasion in New Jersey can stem from any number of activities, including:

Failure to file a state or federal income tax return,
Falsifying a tax return,
Intentionally failing to report income, or underreporting income, on a federal or state tax return,
Intentionally claiming personal expenses as business expenses,
Maintaining false tax records or willfully failing to keep tax records,
Forming or closing business entities to avoid taxation,
Return preparer fraud,
Fraudulent activity related to payroll taxes and employment taxes.

Veteran Defense Lawyers Know the Stakes Are High for Clients Accused of Tax Fraud and Evasion in Morris County, NJ

At Zegas Law, our experienced defense lawyers have both the knowledge of the tax laws and significant experience navigating the criminal justice system necessary to provide the most effective defense possible in even the most high-stakes tax fraud and evasion cases.

Conviction for tax fraud or tax evasion in New Jersey can carry substantial penalties that will vary in severity based upon the amount involved, the violation alleged and the circumstances of the case. For example, felony tax evasion charges can result in up to five years in prison and $100,000 in fines, but even certain misdemeanor level tax offenses stemming from failure to file a return in a year where you owed tax can result in a year in prison and $25,000 in fines for every year in question. Filing a fraudulent return can lead to three years in prison and $100,000 in fines.

Tax fraud and evasion charges are also often levied with respect to failures in disclosing offshore financial accounts pursuant to FATCA or FBAR regulations—where you can face a fine of up to half of your account balance at the time of the violation.

Schedule a Free Confidential Consultation Today

At Zegas Law, we know what it takes to mount an effective defense against criminal tax fraud or tax evasion charges. While challenging your intent to commit a criminal tax offense can be effective in some cases, the reality is that most tax fraud and tax evasion cases are much more complex and require a unique defense strategy tailored to your specific case. Our team has the specific skills and knowledge necessary to successfully advocate on your behalf in these complex cases. Call or contact our office to schedule a confidential consultation with our experienced North Jersey tax fraud and evasion defense lawyers today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Charges Involving Tax Fraud and Evasion

FAQ: What if I filed my tax return and it contained an error, but I didn’t know that I made a mistake. Can I face tax fraud or tax evasion charges?

To convict on tax fraud or tax evasion charges, the prosecution must establish beyond a reasonable doubt that you intended to make the false statements in question. This means that it is a defense that the false information on your tax return was unintentional. In these cases, you usually will not be charged with a crime, but it does happen. The more likely outcome is that the IRS or relevant taxing authority will simply adjust the amount of tax that you owe, and may impose penalties for understanding income. Our skilled tax fraud and evasion defense lawyers can help negotiate on your behalf and present a strong defense if you were charged with a crime for unintentionally providing a tax return containing false information.

FAQ: What is the difference between a criminal investigation for tax fraud or evasion and an IRS audit?

An IRS audit is really a civil matter where the general purpose is to uncover errors that the taxpayer may have made in filing a return. In recognition of the fact that the tax law is extremely complicated, an audit will usually only result in an adjustment to the amount of tax owed and perhaps penalties for understating income. A criminal investigation, on the other hand, may be handled by the Department of Justice and the IRS Criminal Investigation Division and is conducted with the aim of locating enough evidence to support an indictment and criminal conviction. These investigations can take a substantial amount of time—in some cases, the investigation will last years before the authorities determine whether sufficient evidence exists to justify an indictment.

Fearless
“Alan Zegas represented me in a high-profile criminal case. He has a brilliant mind, with strong institutional knowledge and an extraordinary command of the law. He was detail oriented, an enormously strategic thinker, fearless, compassionate, personally accessible on a 24/7 basis, and was all in for me. He was always well prepared and often could see things that others did not. Most importantly, he provided an honest and straightforward assessment of the facts. Alan acted entirely in my best interest, without regard to running up billable hours or moving my case into an unwinnable position. He was always kind, but never hesitant to be blunt and forthcoming. He exuded competence and professionalism at every moment throughout the process.”
Extremely Thorough
“Alan is a master of the art of law, is extremely thorough and meticulous to every detail. He speaks softly but carries a big stick. It is obvious that he is given a great deal of respect in the court room. I knew I was in the best of hands from the get go. For such matters, you need the very best. Alan earned my complete trust. There are a great deal of firms out there with many partners, and associates. Alan is a solo guy, so you know your case is getting his personal attention. As an example, he was always accessible by phone or text. I am grateful for everything he did for me.”

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