Businesses Beware: Trust Fund Recovery Penalties

As a business owner, hiring employees has a lot of positive implications for your growth opportunities. However, your tax obligations also become a lot more complicated with every paycheck you cut. Employment taxes are an inevitable part of income, but failure to pay them can lead to harsh penalties and criminal charges. Understanding your obligations as an employer is an essential part of running your Read More

Common Defenses in White Collar Crime Cases: Analyzing the Strategies Used to Defend Against Allegations of White Collar Crime

Being accused of a white-collar crime like fraud, embezzlement, or tax evasion can have serious consequences if convicted. The federal government is especially vigilant when it comes to white-collar crime and provides extensive resources to the enforcement agencies that seek to prosecute the perpetrators. However, the right legal team will have resources of their own and the experience to effectively defend clients Read More

Strategies for Managing Complex Tax Audits

When it comes to managing complex tax audits, individuals and businesses can often find themselves feeling overwhelmed and unsure of the best course of action. It doesn't matter what your financial situation looks like; an audit from the IRS is a nerve-wracking experience that all taxpayers dread. If someone is found guilty of tax fraud, evasion, failure to pay, or other tax crimes, there are steep penalties, Read More

The Rise of Criminal Tax Charges

In the past, tax crimes like failure to pay or evading payments were not often considered serious enough to pursue a criminal conviction; however, trends are starting to change. Prosecution of federal tax crimes is steadily on the rise, and some experts predict that it will continue to increase. Although they’re becoming more common, that doesn’t mean that it’s easier for prosecutors to send taxpayers to jail. In Read More

The Role of the False Claims Act in Combating Healthcare Fraud

The False Claims Act (FCA) is a federal law that imposes civil liability on individuals or entities who submit fraudulent claims to the federal government. It also allows individuals, including whistleblowers, to file lawsuits on behalf of the government (or a ‘​”qui tam” lawsuit) against entities or individuals accused of defrauding the government. Although the FCA has been an important tool in combating healthcare Read More

The Role of A Forensic Accountant in White-Collar Crime Cases

Every time you or your company are audited, or under investigation for tax or white-collar crimes, a forensic accountant may  play a major role in the case. You may be asking yourself, “I have an accountant, why bring in another one?” but the reality is that mistakes can be made, and the forensic accountant’s findings can provide valuable insight into what went wrong. Let’s dive into their role and how they can Read More

How Do You Know If You’re Under Investigation For Tax Crime?

In the past, we have discussed what your rights are as a taxpayer and how that impacts potential allegations made against you, but how do you know when you need to exercise those rights? The number of cases that the IRS investigates each year can vary based on a variety of factors, including budget constraints and the resources available for enforcement. This means that they use specific tactics to find cases they Read More

Knowing Your Rights As a Taxpayer

Did you know that just like the Bill of Rights for the U.S. Constitution, the IRS also has a Bill of Rights for taxpayers? These are laws that outline the fundamental rights of every taxpayer and ensure that the American tax system remains fair and just.   Understanding your rights is essential, not just for tax filing purposes but also for dealing with tax debt and the IRS.   What Is Outlined Read More

Is Your Family Liable For Your Tax Debt After Death?

In the classic 90’s comedy Grumpy Old Men, one of the main characters is at risk of losing his house to the IRS after they discovered that his late wife had years of back taxes from unclaimed income. Although the film used this plot point for dramatic effect, is it something that spouses filing their taxes jointly should ever be concerned about? The sad truth is that it is a possibility, but luckily, the IRS also Read More

International Tax Compliance: What Are Your Options?

To help delinquent taxpayers become compliant and avoid harsh statutory penalties, the IRS has issued extensive guidance and programs available. The primary options for managing disclosure are outlined below:   The Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program The IRS Voluntary Disclosure Program allows taxpayers to provide the Internal Revenue Service with information about previously unreported offshore Read More