The IRS has been focusing on examinations of tax return preparers. These examinations often result in the imposition of civil penalties under Section 6694 and 6695. But they can also result in criminal liability for the tax return preparer. The criminal sentencing guidelines can be problematic for tax return preparers. The Keleta v. United States,…
Category: Tax Crimes
Tax Crimes
Tax evasion, tax fraud, and other tax-related crimes can result in severe criminal penalties. We assist clients facing criminal tax investigations or charges. Give us a call to see how we can help, (713) 909-4906.
Reliance on an Attorney as a Defense to a Tax Crime
Reliance on advice of a tax attorney or CPA is a defense to some tax crimes. But what if a taxpayer merely consults with a tax attorney or CPA and does not actually rely on their advice? The recent United States v. Wright, No. 18-4087 (6th Cir. 2019) case addresses whether this defense is available…
Cashing a Tax Refund Check for a False Return is a Crime
Cashing a tax refund check that was triggered by filing a false tax return is a crime. It is theft of government money. Theft of government money is different than tax evasion. The recent United States v. Box, No. 18-13935 (11th Cir. 2019) court case provides an opportunity to consider the crime of theft of…
Return Preparer Liable for Returns She Didn’t Prepare
The IRS has been increasing its focus on tax return preparers who file false or fraudulent tax returns. Congress recently beefed up the due diligence requirements preparers have to comply with and the penalty amounts have also been increased. But these laws only apply to tax returns the preparer actually prepared. In Tolentino v. United…
Use of Accounting Board Order in Criminal Tax Case
If an accountant is disciplined by the accounting board, can the discipline be used to increase his criminal sentence for tax fraud when the accounting board’s discipline did not prohibit or address fraud? The court addressed this in United States v. Iley, No. 17-1269 (10th Cir. 2019). Facts & Procedural History The defendant was a…
Statements Made to IRS Special Agents
If you are contacted by an IRS special agent for an informal meeting, can statements made during the meeting be used against you in court? The answer is “maybe.” The court addresses this in United States v. Henry, No. 2017-0001 (D. VI 2018). Facts & Procedural History The IRS criminal investigation unit received a tip…
Conviction as a Deterrent for Employment Tax Crimes?
Failing to pay taxes to the government is a crime, including failing to pay employment taxes withheld by employers from employee wages. Employment tax fraud includes cases involving paying employees in cash so there is no record of payments, filing false payroll tax returns, failing to file payroll tax returns, and pyramiding. Pyramiding is particularly…
Tax Refund Fraud Committed by Prisoners Has IRS Baffled
Tax fraud is a crime that has always been a challenge for the IRS to detect and prosecute. It is even more complicated when prisoners get involved, as is the case with fraudulent tax refund schemes. The United States v. Turturro, 06-12033 (11th Cir. 2007) case is an example of this type of fraud, where…
No Criminal Fraud, But Civil Fraud Penalty Applies
Tax fraud is a serious crime that carries severe penalties, including substantial fines and imprisonment. But what happens when a criminal court finds that the conduct in question does not rise to the level of tax fraud, yet a civil court later determines that it does? This was the dilemma faced in Maciel v. Commissioner,…
Tax Evasion & Evidence of No Tax Due
Tax evasion is a complex legal issue that can carry severe consequences, including hefty fines and imprisonment. Unlike other crimes where the act is either committed or not, taxes can be owed in varying degrees, making it difficult to determine whether a violation of the law has occurred. Can a defendant avoid a tax evasion…