In previous blogs, we have talked about the many ways you can resolve back taxes if you are unable or fail to pay them on time. We have also discussed the fact that the penalties and consequences of unpaid taxes can usually be limited to financial penalties. However, this is not always the case.
If you intentionally withhold your taxes or try to evade the IRS, you could wind up facing much more serious penalties, including criminal charges and jail time. For instance, recently, country music singer David Allan Coe was sentenced to three years of probation after he pleaded guilty to failing to file tax returns.
According to reports, Coe didn’t just underpay his taxes or fill out his returns wrong. He knowingly and purposefully avoided his tax obligations by requesting cash for performances and failing to file returns between 2008 and 2013.
The 76-year-old singer could have been sentenced to three years in jail. However, he was able to avoid incarceration. And while he was able to avoid paying a $250,000 fine, he will still have to repay his unpaid taxes as well as the interest and penalties that accumulated. All told, he owes more than $980,900 to the IRS.
This case could serve as an important reminder to readers who are dealing with unpaid taxes or think they can skirt federal tax laws without consequence. The federal government works diligently to address tax delinquencies, and it has incredible resources at its disposal. It can be incredibly overwhelming and intimidating.
Considering all you may be up against if you do not pay your taxes, intentionally or not, it can be crucial that you seek legal guidance as soon as possible. An attorney can explain your rights and options and help you take the steps necessary to resolve tax problems and minimize exposure to harsh tax violation penalties.
Source: Forbes, “Take This Tax Bill And Shove It: Outlaw Country Singer Ordered To Pay IRS Nearly $1 Million,” Kelly Phillips Erb, June 14, 2016