Tax Fraud
While nobody likes paying taxes, avoiding those payments is a fraud against the government. The most basic form of tax fraud is failing to file a tax return at all, but more often it takes another form, such as:
- Failing to report income, often cash income and sometimes obtained illegally, or underreporting income;
- Taking unauthorized deductions or overstating the size of the deduction;
- Overstating or falsely claiming a donation to a non-profit group or charity;
- Hiding or omitting assets or property or underreporting the value of an estate.
The Tax Relief and Health Act of 2006 was modeled after the False Claims Act and rewards whistleblowers who provide information about tax fraud or tax underpayments to the Internal Revenue Service.
If you are aware of a business or individual that has avoided paying taxes, the False Claims Act Attorneys at Gordon & Doner may be able to help you receive a reward. Contact the Qui Tam attorneys online at 1-800-659-1159 so that we may confidentially assess your case, for free.
Our False Claims Act attorneys have received professional accolades for their work representing clients in West Palm Beach, Martin County, Stuart, Pembroke Pines, Miami and throughout Florida.
Hiding Income, Assets
The IRS requires individuals to report all income. Failure to do so results in tax fraud. Sometimes, the income is generated through illegal activity, such as drug dealing, gambling or racketeering. Even though the income was generated illegally, this income is still subject to a tax, and not reporting that income constitutes tax fraud. Of course, such revenue often goes unreported to avoid calling attention to the illegal activity.
Hiding assets is sometimes done through complicated trust fund arrangements, sometimes using foreign accounts or scam corporations, to make it appear as though an individual is not in control of the money. But the individual may be receiving funds through debit and credit cards or fictitious loans.
Cases Involving Multiple Taxpayers
A large tax fraud claim can arise from a professional tax preparer filing false or fraudulent income tax returns on behalf of multiple clients.
Some tax schemes involve luring people to sink their money into what is purported to be a tax-free investment fund. In 2010, a Florida resident was found responsible for a tax loss to the United States of more than $3.8 million after luring more than 1,000 people nationwide to invest in such a fund.
Exposing an unscrupulous tax preparer or investment deal has the potential for a significant claim under the False Claims Act.
Tax Fraud? Contact our Tax Fraud Attorneys Today!
Federal laws encourage citizens to report tax fraud and other types of government fraud. The False Claims Act lawyers at Gordon & Doner may be able to help you win a percentage of the tax that is owed. Contact Gordon & Doner tax fraud attorneys online or call (800) 659-1159 for a free case evaluation.
