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Tax Fraud Substantive Violations

a. Tax Evasion (26 U.S.C. § 7201)

To obtain a conviction for tax evasion under 26 U.S.C. § 7201, the government must prove the following beyond a reasonable doubt: (1) that the defendant acted willfully; (2) the existence of a tax deficiency; and (3) an affirmative act constituting an evasion or attempted evasion of the tax. To prove that a defendant acted willfully, the government must show more than just that he acted in “careless disregard for the truth.” Thus, a mere underreporting of income does not require a finding of willfulness as the underreporting could be caused by inadvertence or negligence. Also, as stated above, a good-faith misunderstanding of the law will not be enough to show willfulness. Instead, willfulness requires the “intentional violation of a known legal duty.” As to the existence of a tax deficiency, in the Eleventh Circuit, all that the government needs to prove is that there is a deficiency, not the type or amount owed. Finally, with regard to proving the act of evasion, the government must prove some act of commission rather than merely an act of omission. Mere passive neglect is not enough. However, what constitutes an “affirmative act” has been interpreted broadly by the courts. By way of illustration, and not by way of limitation, we would think affirmative willful attempt may be inferred from conduct such as keeping a double set of books, making false entries of alterations, or false invoices or documents, destruction of books or records, concealment of assets or covering up sources of income, handling of one’s affairs to avoid making the records usual in transactions of the kind, and any conduct, the likely effect of which would be to mislead or to conceal.

b. Filing A False Tax Return (26 U.S.C. § 7206(1))

In order to convict a defendant for filing a false tax return pursuant to the provisions of 26 U.S.C. § 7206, the government must establish each of the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt: (1) the making and subscribing of a tax return containing a written declaration that it was made under the penalties of perjury; (2) by one who did not believe the return to be true and correct as to every material matter; and (3) who acted in a willful, as opposed to a negligent manner. In general, a false statement is material if it has “a natural tendency to influence, or [is] capable of influencing, the decision of the decision making body to which it was addressed.” Several courts have determined that “any failure to report income is material” in a prosecution under §7206(1). Usually, showing that the taxpayer signed the return or another document submitted to the IRS is sufficient to establish that the taxpayer made and subscribed to the tax return or other document submitted to the IRS. See, I.R.C. § 6064 (The fact that an individual’s name is signed to a return, statement, or another document shall be prima facie evidence for all purposes that the return, statement or other document was actually signed by him.)

c. 26 U.S.C. § 7212

26 U.S.C. § 7212(a) prohibits any act that either obstructs or impedes or endeavors to obstruct or impede, the “due administration” of the Internal Revenue Code through corrupt or forcible acts. Section 7212(a) consists primarily of two clauses. The first, more specific clause, prohibits corrupt or forcible endeavors to interfere with United States employees acting pursuant to Title 26. The second, more general omnibus clause, relevant here, requires proof of three elements: (1) that the defendant in any way corruptly (2) endeavored (3) to obstruct or impede the due administration of the Internal Revenue Code. Section 7212 is one of the several general criminal provisions contained in the Internal Revenue Code, most of which are discussed above. These provisions establish what the Supreme Court has described as a system of sanctions which singly or in combination were calculated to induce prompt and forthright fulfillment of every duty under the income tax law and to provide a penalty suitable to every degree of delinquency. Section 7212(a) is the government’s “catch-all” statute for prosecuting tax law violations, and because of its broad language, it has become the darling of the IRS and tax prosecutors. This website has been designed to provide educational information only and is not intended to offer legal advice. Every case is unique and outcomes will vary depending upon the facts and legal issues of your case. Please do not make any decisions about any legal matter without consulting with an attorney first. There is no attorney-client relationship formed by any use of the information provided