The current financial crisis and the burgeoning federal debt load are sure to result in increased efforts by the Internal Revenue Service and state revenue authorities to investigate and prosecute cases of criminal tax fraud. The electronic and investigative resources of state and federal tax authorities and prosecutors are vast. No one is exempt from tax crime prosecutions: attorneys, certified public accountants (CPAs), business professionals, and legitimate companies all have been targeted. Tax crimes may arise in various circumstances, including:

• Tax evasion
• Underestimating earnings
• Failing to file tax returns
• Filing under a false social security number
• Claiming false deductions
• Illegal use of trusts
• Business tax fraud
• Tax avoidance
• Tax evasion
• Hiding income or assets
• Non-payment of taxes
• Falsification of tax returns
• Fraudulent documentation
• Tax resistance
• Using false receipts
• Exaggerating expenses or losses
• Fraudulently claiming deductions
• Illegal use of off-shore banking

If you or your business have been accused of tax crimes, your assets may be seized, bank accounts frozen, wages garnished, and real estate property forfeited. Substantial fines and jail time, in both state and federal prison, may be imposed. Without assistance of competent legal advice, including the use of sophisticated financial and accounting experts, you might make missteps during a tax investigation that increase the chances that you or your business may be criminally prosecuted. If you or someone your know is being investigated, arrested or prosecuted for alleged tax crimes, call Anchor Criminal Defense for a free consultation.