Shreveport Tax Fraud Lawyer for State and Federal Cases
If you are under investigation or facing charges for tax fraud in Louisiana, you need experienced legal representation. State and federal tax crimes carry fines and prison time—and, depending on the specific allegations against you, you could be facing years behind bars. In many cases, tax fraud cases will involve charges for mail fraud, money laundering and other serious crimes as well. All of this means that it is critical to have a Shreveport tax fraud lawyer on your side.
Lee Harville is a Shreveport lawyer who can help defend against tax fraud charges, with decades of experience helping his clients avoid unnecessary consequences in state and federal cases. This includes cases involving a wide range of other white-collar crimes. The sooner you hire Lee to represent you, the sooner he can get to work building your defense.
Common Issues in State and Federal Tax Fraud Cases
Allegations of tax fraud can take many different forms. As a result, if you are under investigation or facing charges, a key first step will be to ensure that you have a clear understanding of the full scope of the government’s case against you. Some examples of common allegations in cases involving income taxes, employment taxes, property taxes, and other state and federal taxes include:
- Failure to file tax returns
- Failure to report taxable income or property
- Falsifying business or financial records
- Improperly claiming credits, exemptions or deductions
- Underreporting tax liability
If you are being accused of underreporting or underpaying your (or your business’s) tax liability, avoiding unnecessary consequences will require an informed and strategic approach that takes into account the specific circumstances at hand. If you overlook any allegations (or potential allegations), you could find yourself facing charges that you could—and should—have avoided. Likewise, if you make assumptions about why the Louisiana Department of Revenue (DOR) or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is investigating, it could lead to an ineffective defense.
Common Defenses in State and Federal Tax Fraud Cases
As with all types of white-collar charges, the defenses available in cases involving allegations of state or federal tax fraud depend on the circumstances. With this in mind, some examples of potential defenses to tax fraud allegations include:
- Compliance with the Louisiana Revised Statutes or the Internal Revenue Code
- Lack of intent to commit tax fraud or tax evasion (the “good faith” defense)
- Reliance on advice from your accountant or tax professional
- Expiration of the applicable statute of limitations
- Insufficient evidence to meet prosecutors’ burden of proof
It is important to note, however, that while asserting these defenses may allow you to avoid criminal penalties, you could still be liable for paying the taxes you owe (plus applicable interest and penalties). As a result, before asserting defenses such as lack of intent or reliance on professional tax advice, it is critical to determine whether this is the best option under the circumstances.
How Shreveport Tax Fraud Lawyer Lee Harville Can Help You
Whether your case involves state or federal tax liability, there are several important reasons to put an experienced lawyer on your side. When you engage Shreveport tax fraud lawyer Lee Harville to represent you, he will:
1. Ensure that You Have a Clear Understanding of All of the Allegations (and Potential Allegations) Against You
To build an effective defense, you need to know all of the allegations that have the potential to result in a conviction at trial. This includes not only allegations of tax fraud, tax evasion, and other tax-related crimes, but also allegations of other white collar crimes such as mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering as well.
2. Evaluate All Potential Defenses Based on the Specific Circumstances of Your Case
Once you have a clear understanding of the scope of the government’s case, then you can build a defense strategy focused on addressing each of the specific allegations involved. This requires an in-depth understanding of the law, so experienced legal representation is essential.
3. Proactively Target a Favorable Resolution that Avoids Unnecessary Civil or Criminal Penalties
After formulating your defense strategy, Lee will proactively target a favorable resolution designed to help you avoid unnecessary consequences. This includes not only criminal consequences, but also additional civil liability. Depending on the circumstances, this could involve negotiating with prosecutors, seeking to avoid an indictment, or preparing to fight the government’s allegations at trial.
FAQs: Facing Allegations of Criminal Tax Fraud in Louisiana
What is the difference between tax “avoidance” and tax “fraud”?
Tax “avoidance” involves using legal strategies to minimize an individual’s or a business’ tax liability. Tax “fraud” involves illegally paying less than a taxpayer owes. In some cases, there is a fine line between tax avoidance and tax fraud, and demonstrating that a taxpayer has stayed on the right side of this line can be a key defense strategy.
What are common “red flags” that trigger a tax fraud investigation?
Failure to file a tax return, claiming the same deductions year after year, and filing tax returns that are inconsistent with information returns filed by other parties (i.e., employers and financial institutions) are all common “red flags” for tax fraud. However, these are just a few of numerous examples.
Should I talk to the IRS agents if they show up at my Shreveport home or office?
If IRS agents show up at your Shreveport home or office, you need to be very careful. In this situation, you should exercise your right to legal counsel, and you should avoid saying anything that prosecutors might be able to use against you.
Discuss Your Case with Shreveport Tax Fraud Lawyer Lee Harville in Confidence
Are you under investigation or facing charges for tax fraud in Louisiana? If so, we strongly encourage you to contact us right away. Call 318-222-1700 or contact us confidentially online to speak with Lee Harville in confidence as soon as possible.