Can you really go to prison for not paying your taxes? The answer may surprise you

The deadline for paying your taxes is the days away. If your tax bill is not completely paid by April 15, you may receive A message from the Tax Authority Saying Your taxes are late. This can lead to attention, drawings, in maximum cases, a possible prison time.

I have been an accountant for more than a decade and I can say that prison time is rare Money. The Tax Agency will give you the opportunity to address the issue before it is up to this extent. But there are legal consequences for tax evasion or constantly failing to pay your tax on time.

Here’s how to avoid legal troubles and what to do if you cannot pay your tax.

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Tax evasion in exchange for failing to pay your taxes

Tax evasion is when you intentionally avoid paying taxes, and this is often by reporting income or forging tax records. For example, if you earn 100,000 dollars annually, but only knowing it was only $ 60,000 on Tax AcknowledgmentThis is a fraud. It is a criminal act that can lead to severe consequences, including prison time. The Tax Authority treats cases such as criminal crimes because they involve deliberate deception.

Failure to pay, on the other hand, occurs when you are a debtor to tax, but you cannot pay the full amount due according to the due date. This may be due to financial hardship or errors in Tax. Honest errors or late payments generally lead to penalties for the tax department and late fees, not imprisonment. While tax evasion and failure in payment are very dangerous, tax evasion involves deliberate violations and carries more consequences such as criminal charges.

That is why it is important to report all the income accurately – regardless of how small it is – and a qualified tax specialist asks if you have questions. If you want to reduce your tax responsibility, there are many legal ways to do so, such as Tax discounts and creditWithout falsifying documents and breaking the law.

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What can happen if you do not pay your taxes

It is not uncommon unexpected confrontation Tax bill You cannot pay immediately. If you cannot pay your taxes on time, the Tax Authority does not immediately resort to extremist measures. Instead, the agency will start sending notifications that determine your balance and explain how they calculate it.

Depending on what your message requires, attention and penalties may also begin with accumulation. If these notifications are ignored, the Tax Authority can follow its money in other ways, such as decorating your wages (deduct part of your salary), and put a privilege In your property or even seizure of money from your bank account.

The Tax Authority usually begins with Auditing operationsGathering messages, then payment options. However, if unpaid taxes are ignored for a long time, it may lead to the issue of tax evasion and a possible prison time. While the imprisonment of unpaid taxes is rare, they are possible. If the Tax Authority sends you a letter in the mail, I recommend answering immediately and communicating with a tax specialist if you have any questions.

What to do if you cannot carry your tax bill

Your tax bill is scheduled to be on April 15 this year, even if you provide an extension. If you are unable to pay the full tax bill, do not panic. The Tax Authority provides payment plans You can set up online Or with your tax.

If your bill is much larger and you cannot pay the full amount, you can also apply A compromise display. This agreement allows you to settle your debts with the Tax Authority with less than your tax bill.

For example, if you are unable to pay a $ 60,000 tax bill, you may be able to settle your debts for $ 10,000 under OIC. With this option, the Tax Authority will consider your income, expenses and assets to confirm whether you are qualified for the low payment option.

If you have questions about your tax commitment, it is always best to make an appointment with a tax lawyer or approved public accountant.

Read more: Credit card may give you an additional time to pay your taxes

Achieve double your tax declaration before submitting it

You are not likely to go to prison for a late tax payment to the Tax Authority, but it is important to make sure that you do not reduce your income and pay less than you owe. When you submit your tax return, be sure to check the income you are reporting. You are responsible for any mistakes or neglect, even if it is accidental.

If you have a tax invoice, work with a tax specialist to understand your payment options to avoid other consequences. Provides the Tax Authority a Guide to qualified tax This can be useful when you don’t know where to start.