Resolving Tax Crimes Allegations
At William Mauzy, Attorney at Law, Minneapolis lawyer William Mauzy has more than 30 years of experience and has successfully tried more than 100 cases. He understands the complex issues involved in state and federal tax fraud charges, and he supplies clients with effective defenses against these very damaging allegations.
Mr. Mauzy thoroughly prepares every case for trial. However, if it is in his clients’ best interests, he will make every attempt to negotiate the most advantageous settlement. If you are facing other charges in conjunction with tax fraud – such as mortgage fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, securities fraud, bank fraud or money laundering – he will provide effective representation. Call 612-504-5533.
Providing Results-Focused Representation In Minnesota And Nationally
William Mauzy provides a skilled, effective defense against serious tax crimes charges such as:
- Tax fraud
- Conspiracy to commit tax fraud
- Tax evasion
- Assisting in the preparing of a false return
- Conspiracy to corruptly obstruct or impede the ability of the IRS to assess taxes due or to collect taxes
- Failure to file a return
How These Cases Progress
Tax offenses sometimes start as an IRS administrative summons for documents from a taxpayer, his or her bank, his or her accountant, or even his or her business. Once the IRS decides the taxpayer may have committed a federal crime, the IRS civil side ends and the IRS Criminal Investigation Division becomes involved.
Once the IRS investigation is complete in its review, a referral to the U.S. Department of Justice may be made. At this point, a federal grand jury must review potential criminal charges.
What Are The Most Common Tax Crimes?
Tax crimes include a willful refusal to pay a tax, failure to file a tax return, tax evasion by failure to declare income or asserting false deductions or expenses and all efforts to defraud the IRS Tax avoidance is not a crime but tax evasion is a crime.
The statute of limitations (which bars prosecution after a certain period) is generally six years (longer than most federal crimes). In false returns cases, it runs from the due date for the tax return year or the actual filing date, whichever is later.
As state and federal governments seek to ensure revenues into their financial coffers and deter tax evasion, state and federal tax agencies have increased tax enforcement actions and tax fraud prosecutions. If you are under investigation for a tax-related crime, it is crucial to have an experienced criminal defense and white collar crimes defense lawyer protecting your interests. Otherwise, you could be in danger of a conviction – and the harsh punishments that come with it.
Taxpayers Should Not Be Punished For Innocent Errors
Tax crime prosecutions should not be used to punish mistakes. A taxpayer should not be punished when he does not realize a tax debt is owed, when he did not know the receipt of some type of financial benefit was income that needed to be reported, or when he was unaware that his tax preparer failed to declare all of his income.
The Supreme Court has recognized that the federal tax laws are voluminous and complex and thus citizens can fail to realize they are violating the law. Accordingly, tax crimes require the prosecution to prove “willfulness.” This means the prosecutor must prove the law imposed a duty on the defendant, that the defendant knew he had a legal duty to pay the tax, but he voluntarily and intentionally violated that duty.
A good faith but mistaken belief or honest misunderstanding may, in some circumstances, constitute a complete defense to the charges. Since it is the defendant’s subjective mental state that is important, the defendant’s truthful ignorance of the law may be a defense to tax evasion.
Get The Legal Help You Need Today
If you believe that you have been targeted for a criminal tax or IRS investigation in Minnesota or elsewhere in the U.S., contact William Mauzy, Attorney at Law. Call us today at 612-504-5533 or reach the firm by email. Your initial consultation is free.