Alabama Tax Fraud Lawyers

Alabama Tax Fraud Lawyers: We Help You

Why You Need a Lawyer

Getting charged with tax fraud, or tax evasion in Alabama can be an extremely overwhelming and frightening experience. However, having an experienced Alabama tax fraud lawyer on your side is super important – and it can make all the difference in how your case plays out.

Here are some of the important reasons why it’s important to hire an Alabama tax fraud lawyer if you’re facing tax fraud criminal allegations:

• Navigating complex laws: Tax law is very complex. Trying to defend yourself against tax fraud charges without a sophisticated understanding of the laws and statutes is a recipe for disaster and jail time. An attorney will know how to apply the law to the specifics of your exact specific case.
• Avoid costly mistakes: If you try to handle your tax fraud case alone, you’re almost sure to make mistakes that could seriously damage your defense. You could incriminate yourself, or worse. Your criminal attorney knows how to correctly file motions, raise objections, and preserve your rights.
• Get charges reduced or dismissed: Tax fraud lawyers know how to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and leverage them to get charges against you reduced or dismissed pre-trial.
• Creating a strong defense: Proving your innocence isn’t enough to defend against tax fraud allegations; you have to create a defense around the evidence and testimony which counters the prosecution’s arguments. Experienced defense lawyers knows how to build a compelling criminal defense case from the ground up.
• Negotiating plea deals: If the evidence against you is strong, and going to trial carries significant risks, your criminal lawyer can negotiate with the prosecution for a favorable plea bargain which will minimize penalties.
• Navigating sentencing: If you do end up convicted of tax fraud, skilled criminal attorneys are able to push for minimal sentences and alternative punishments to jail time. They know how to leverage mitigating factors in order keep you out of jail, and divert your sentence into alternative punishments.

The bottom line is that trying to defend yourself against tax fraud charges without an attorney puts you at an enormous disadvantage. You need a criminal attorney in Alabama who can defend you.

Tax Fraud Defenses in Alabama

If you’ve been charged with tax fraud in Alabama, there are several defenses which your lawyer may use to fight the criminal defense allegations:

Lack of Criminal Intent

For you to be convicted of tax fraud in Alabama, the prosecution has to prove you acted “willfully” and with willful intent to break the law. If your lawyer can show you made an honest mistake, or simply lacked knowledge, they can defend against criminal intent.

Reliance on Tax Professional

You can avoid liability if your attorney demonstrates you reasonably relied on the advice of a tax expert like an accountant or tax attorney.

Unreasonable Estimations

Using estimations for figures on your tax returns is allowed and common. Your lawyer can argue any errors resulted from reasonable assessments made in good faith and were not criminal in nature.

Statute of Limitations Expired

In Alabama, the statute of limitations for tax fraud is generally three years. The charges can potentially be defeated if it’s been longer than that since the alleged crimes.

Violations of Right to Counsel

Convictions can sometimes be overturned if it’s shown criminal investigators assigned to your case – violated your right to have an attorney present during questioning. Your lawyer will look for any mistakes they made.

Illegal Search and Seizure

If evidence against you was obtained through an illegal search of your home, devices or financial records, your lawyer can petition to have it excluded from the case. This could destroy the prosecution’s arguments.

Constitutional Rights Violations

Beyond searches, if any part of the investigation violated your constitutional rights like self-incrimination or due process, your lawyer can challenge the case on those grounds.

Accounting Errors

In complex tax situations, innocent accounting mistakes sometimes occur. The tax fraud lawyer you hire will thoroughly audit your returns to identify any errors that could explain discrepancies.

Having an experienced tax fraud attorney look at every aspect of your case is the best way to build a strong defense. The prosecution has to prove criminal intent beyond a reasonable doubt; this is a very high bar to clear. The right tax fraud lawyer will leverage every possible argument and technicality to create that reasonable doubt.

How to Find the Best Tax Fraud Lawyer in Alabama

Finding the right lawyer to defend against tax fraud in Alabama is crucial. Here are some ways on identifying top tax fraud attorneys:

• Search state bar association directories – The Alabama State Bar Association has profiles for all licensed tax attorneys in the state. This is an excellent starting point.
• Check credentials – Make sure any lawyer you look at has experience specifically handling federal tax fraud cases, and state tax fraud cases in Alabama. Check their track record of getting positive outcomes for clients.
• Ask about strategy – The right tax fraud attorney will be able to explain their strategies based on the uniqueness of your case.
• Compare costs – Established tax fraud lawyers will often provide free consultations. Compare costs between potential lawyers, but look more closely at their case experience.
• Read reviews and testimonials – Check sources like Google, Avvo, and Yelp to read legitimate reviews of lawyers from clients. These reviews provide valuable insight about lawyers.
• Consider credentials – While not required, certifications like Certified Tax Law Specialist (CTLS) from the State Bar of Alabama show an attorney’s deep tax knowledge.
• Check disciplinary history – You can look up any Alabama lawyer on the state bar website to see if they have disciplinary issues or suspensions. Avoid lawyers who have red flags.
• Get referrals from trusted advisors and friends – Speak with business owners, or CPAs, who have hired tax fraud lawyers.
• Interview multiple attorneys – It’s smart to speak with a few different lawyers before choosing a lawyer.

By looking at lawyers and vetting their credentials, their trial experience, costs and referrals, you can select the right tax fraud lawyer in Alabama to build the strongest possible defense against the allegations you face. With an experienced attorney guiding you, the legal process becomes much less daunting.

Consequences of Tax Fraud Convictions in Alabama

Being convicted of tax fraud in Alabama can carry severe consequences that could impact the trajectory of your life for years to come. Here is an overview of potential penalties:

Jail Time

Any felony tax fraud conviction over $500 in Alabama carries potential prison time ranging from 1-10 years depending on the severity. Even simple misdemeanors can involve up to 1 year in jail.

Fines and Penalties

Beyond jail time, tax fraud financial penalties include heavy fines up to $100,000 plus costs equal to twice the amount of unpaid taxes. Significant interest charges also apply to the penalty.

Restitution Payments

You will be ordered to repay all unpaid taxes plus interest and penalties. The total amounts due often add up to large restitution payments. Jail time will not be avoided until they are paid.

Asset Seizure

Authorities can seize all of your assets like cash, bank accounts, vehicles, or property to satisfy tax debts and penalties owed as part of convictions.

Tax Lien

A tax lien will be attached to all current and future assets and earnings until tax debts are repaid, severely damaging credit and ability to get loans.

Loss of Licenses

Professional licenses required for employment like law, real estate, finance, and medicine can be suspended or revoked after tax fraud convictions.

Ban from State Contracts

Anyone convicted of tax crimes in Alabama face a ban from entering into future state contracts over $7,500 for at least three years.

Public Record

Tax fraud convictions will become part of permanent criminal records and easily show up in background checks, damaging reputation and employability.

The impacts of tax fraud convictions clearly demonstrate the importance of retaining experienced legal counsel if you are being accused of tax fraud. Their representation offers the best chance to avoid these devastating consequences through dismissal, acquittal or minimized penaltie

Facing accusations of tax fraud in Alabama is frightening, but building an aggressive legal defense strategy with an experienced tax attorney can improve the outcome versus trying to represent yourself. Be proactive in reviewing all defense options, comparing credentials, and securing the best tax fraud lawyer.