
Criminal Tax Attorney In Lubbock, TX
Facing issues with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can be daunting. Tax preparation can be confusing, and tax laws change every year. Making a mistake can lead to an audit or other problems with the IRS. It can be overwhelming facing the IRS alone. A Lubbock criminal tax lawyer can help when you’re facing tax issues that can quickly develop criminal implications.
Facing IRS Challenges? Get the Representation You Deserve!
Hire a Criminal Tax Lawyer
If you’ve been accused of a tax-related offense, you need to hire a criminal tax lawyer with the negotiation and litigation skills necessary to represent your interests and rights. With more than 20 years of experience in tax litigation, David Coffin PLLC knows how to resolve tax disputes with the IRS. As a former lawyer for the IRS, Attorney Coffin is well-suited to represent Lubbock residents facing IRS challenges.
Criminal Tax Cases
The IRS has a Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) unit that investigates criminal tax cases in the United States. For the fiscal year 2024, which ran from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024, the IRS-CI:
- Initiated 2,667 criminal investigations
- Obtained 1,571 convictions
- Maintained a 90% conviction rate
- Identified $9.1 billion in fraud
Handling IRS Problems in Lubbock County
Lubbock residents facing IRS issues need an experienced Lubbock criminal tax attorney to represent their rights and interests. Tax issues are most often handled by the United States Tax Court, which has nationwide jurisdiction to handle cases involving taxpayers and the IRS.
Lubbock citizens facing state-level criminal tax cases appear before the Lubbock County District Courts located at the Lubbock County Courthouse. Federal-level criminal tax cases are handled by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, which is located in Lubbock.
Types of Criminal Tax Cases
Failing to pay federal income taxes is not always criminal, but it can lead to criminal charges. Tax laws are intricate and change often, leading to negligent mistakes made by individuals trying to pay their taxes appropriately. Criminal charges are reserved for those individuals who deliberately attempt to evade paying taxes. Tax fraud occurs when an individual or company:
- Deliberately fails to pay owed taxes.
- Fails to file a federal income tax return
- Underreports income
- Makes false claims
Common types of criminal tax cases handled by a criminal tax attorney include:
- Tax evasion. Deliberately hiding income through various means.
- Filing a false tax return. Intentionally providing false information to reduce your tax liability.
- Willful failure to pay. The IRS attempts to communicate regarding missing returns or owed taxes, and you fail to respond.
- Conspiracy to defraud the government. At least two people conspiring to commit an action that would obstruct lawful tax collection.
- Frivolous tax claims. A person makes an unreasonable claim to avoid paying federal income tax.
- Employment and payroll tax fraud. An employer underreporting their number of employees, failure to pay payroll taxes to the IRS, or paying employees in cash to avoid tax liabilities.
- Refund fraud. Committed by an individual or a tax preparer to increase the amount of a tax return. This could be done through fake deductions, exemptions, or business expenses.
- Identity theft. Intentionally using someone else’s identity to file a tax return and claim a refund.
- Structuring. A person makes multiple financial transactions instead of one large transaction so they can avoid reporting requirements.
FAQs
There is no formal notification process when the IRS begins a criminal investigation. You are usually notified when criminal investigators approach you for an interview. If investigators come to your home asking questions, you should politely decline to answer any questions without an attorney present. A knowledgeable criminal tax attorney should be present before you answer any questions or provide a statement.
There are several different taxes common in other states that Texas residents do not have. Texas does not have an individual income tax, so Texas residents do not have to pay tax on their wages or other forms of income. Texas does not have a corporate income tax, so taxes are not paid on business profits. There is no estate tax or inheritance tax in Texas, preventing taxes on assets received after the death of a loved one.
Owing money to the IRS is not likely to result in jail time. Having missed payments is not equivalent to committing a criminal act. Unpaid taxes are generally treated as a civil matter and handled through penalties, interest, or collection. The IRS can garnish wages or put liens on your properties or other large assets. If you are actively working to pay off your tax liabilities and honestly communicating with the IRS, they are more likely to work with you.
When you owe back taxes, there are several things you can do to avoid facing criminal charges. Even if you cannot pay, be sure to file your tax return each year. This shows the IRS that you are not hiding anything. Do not wait for the IRS to contact you first. You can set up a payment plan to pay what you owe over time or apply for an Offer in Compromise. A tax attorney can help review your options.
Offering to pay owed taxes is unlikely to stop an IRS criminal investigation and may harm your case. Failure to pay properly is a crime and has criminal penalties beyond paying what is owed. Additionally, offering to pay may be seen as an admission of guilt, which could harm your case should it go to trial or weaken your position during negotiations.
Lubbock Criminal Tax Lawyer
The IRS has considerable reach to collect on tax debts. Instead of facing the possibility of garnished wages, levies, or liens, hire a criminal tax lawyer who can review the specifics of your case and offer sound advice on your next steps. Contact David Coffin PLLC today to schedule your initial consultation.
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