Mark J. Mandell, Esq.
That start of the month
may be April Fool’s Day, but there is no joking around this month for the IRS.
In an attempt to flex their muscle, IRS prosecutions spike during the tax
season as a not-so-gentle reminder that there can be a big price to pay for tax
fraud and tax evasion.
A recent analysis by
Syracuse University researchers show that the ten year average for IRS criminal
prosecutions is significantly higher in April than any other month of year.
Also, the month of March is the second highest month. Last year, the number of
prosecutions was higher than the ten year average for most months, but
especially for April.
It’s very likely that this
peak is a result of the IRS’s desire to remind people and businesses of their
responsibility under tax law.
Prosecutors will levy a
number of criminal charges in one case, such as money laundering, mail fraud,
bank fraud, etc. However, one charge must be selected as the “lead charge.” The
top choices for lead charges were: (1) Fraud and false statements, and (2)
conspiracy to defraud the Government claims.
Very few taxpayers – about
2% - are ever investigated for tax fraud. However, if you are under
investigation, you have a 20% chance of facing criminal charges and/or a civil
fines.
Whatever your case, it is
important to present a zealous defense. As a former prosecutor, I have
experience with the strategies the government will use against you and I know
what weaknesses to look for. You don’t want to go up against the Tax Man
without aggressive representation.
Are
you or your business in trouble with the IRS? Give the Michigan Fraud Lawyers a
call today at 248-468-4536, or visit us online at http://www.fb-firm.com/Fraud/Financial-Fraud.shtml
and www.Facebook.com/FausoneBohnLLP
To learn more about the
April peak in IRS Criminal Prosecutions, see Bloomberg Business News’s recent
article: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-02/april-is-the-cruelest-month-for-prosecuting-tax-fraud
No comments:
Post a Comment