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South Dakota Tax Attorney

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Where do you turn when you are up against a government entity like the IRS? If you receive a notice of an audit and you know there will be complications, how do you plan to deal with the situation? What if you owe the IRS a large amount of money that you cannot pay or do not agree with? The answer to all of these situations is a tax attorney. Specialized tax attorneys can be the shield that stands between you and the federal government.

The IRS has the power to seize your property, garnish your wages and put you in prison. This can all happen over a very minor mistake in your taxes that leads to major problems. The problem is made even worse if you've had an accountant do your taxes for you. These stakes are too high to fight them alone. A good tax attorney can negotiate a settlement with the IRS, protect your rights and fight your case in court if necessary. Facing the IRS is a scary prospect even when you have done nothing wrong. Hiring a competent tax attorney can save you money and heartache.

Recently in South Dakota, a former executive at a construction materials company pled guilty to nine felony charges of federal income tax fraud that cost the government more than $600,000 in unpaid taxes from 2001 to 2004. He used funds from the company to pay for personal expenses. He also filed false personal and corporate tax returns to hide it. Of the nine felony charges, eight of them carry a maximum penalty of three years in prison, and the ninth is a conspiracy charge that carries a penalty of up to five years. In addition, each of the felonies carries a $250,000 fine. It may seem easy to defraud the government, but you'll most likely be found out one way or another.

The tax laws are a detailed, complex system of laws that outlining government levies on economic transactions, called taxes, and written into code. Tax evasion/fraud occurs when an individual or business intentionally avoids paying federal, state, or local taxes using illegal tactics. Some of these tactics include overstating deductions or declaring lesser income, gains, or profits than was actually attained. Tax evasion is a federal crime punishable by fines, prison time, and asset forfeiture.

If you are in debt to the IRS, you have no choice but to pay those taxes. However, if you are facing a large sum, a tax attorney may be able to work out a settlement or payment plan with the IRS to make it more manageable. A tax attorney can negotiate directly with the IRS and sometimes reach settlements that allow you to pay only a certain percentage for each dollar owed. Even at the state level, you still may need help to guide you through the very complicated tax system.

If you own a business, it is a good idea to maintain a good relationship with your tax attorney and your accountant to help you avoid pitfalls that may lead to money owed and more trouble down the road. With ever-changing laws and guidelines, it can be difficult to navigate the system alone, and a tax attorney can help to figure it all out. Other than the IRS, other departments can also start criminal tax investigations. These include the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Tax attorneys provide legal advice and suggestions when dealing with the IRS. They can also give you useful feedback on the different laws that are relevant to your personal case, and identify the weaknesses that may be in your legal position, as well as represent you if you need them to. If you are facing federal tax action, find a South Dakota tax attorney as soon as possible so your case can be reviewed right away.