Holding on Securely to Your Rights in Cases of Tax Fraud

"The Fumble" lives on in Cleveland Browns lore, and it still haunts fans. For those too young to have seen "The Fumble," it was the critical moment in the 1987 AFC championship game. Running back Earnest Byner lost the ball on a first-and-goal run near the Denver Broncos' end zone with just a little over a minute left in the game. The Browns went on to lose the game, 38-33. 

What's the connection between Earnest Byner and our tax blog? Simple. Byner's hometown is Milledgeville, Georgia. One hundred miles southeast of Atlanta, the town is also home to a married couple that owned a towing company. The husband and wife were each recently sentenced to 18 months in prison after their convictions on filing false tax returns: both corporate and individual.

The Internal Revenue Service and prosecutors said the couple skimmed $1.5 million from their towing outfit and then redirected the funds to a personal bank account by structuring deposits so that they would not exceed $10,000. The IRS requires banks to file reports on deposits above $10,000.

In some cases in which the government suspects people of tax fraud and illegal activity, it will move to seize cash or property. Readers might be surprised to learn that the property owner does not have to be convicted of a crime before property can be seized. In fact, a person doesn't even have to be charged with a crime for government seizure to occur, Forbes noted in a recent article.

The IRS insists it needs to be able to seize property in order to enforce tax codes and that safeguards are in place to protect your rights. Another way to secure your rights and shield your assets: have at your side an attorney experienced in representing clients in criminal tax investigations and at trial in the matters of false federal tax returns. When so much is at stake, a criminal defense tax lawyer can tip the scales of justice in your favor.