Tax evasion is a criminal charge which, if proved, can result in the U.S. taxpayer being imposed with the obligation to serve a term in prison or to pay a fine to the government. Specifically, evading one’s tax obligations to the U.S. government is considered a felony.
To this end, tax evasion can be punished with a term of imprisonment lasting for a maximum duration of 3 years, as well as a fine going up to $100,000. That being said, non-payment of tax charges in this regard will not result in penalties being issued against people suspected of this offense unless they can be proved to have done so in a court of law.
Tax evasion, as a criminal offense and the grounds for legal action, should not be confused with the similarly named occurrence of tax avoidance, which refers to the hoped-for consequence of legal measures taken to avoid tax obligations.
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