{"id":354017,"date":"2025-02-18T17:11:48","date_gmt":"2025-02-18T22:11:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/tax\/tax-problems-audits\/is-tax-evasion-a-felony-or-misdemeanor.html"},"modified":"2025-02-18T17:17:30","modified_gmt":"2025-02-18T22:17:30","slug":"is-tax-evasion-a-felony-or-misdemeanor","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/tax\/tax-problems-audits\/is-tax-evasion-a-felony-or-misdemeanor.html","title":{"rendered":"Is Tax Evasion a Felony or Misdemeanor?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Is Tax Evasion a Felony or Misdemeanor?<\/h1>\n
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\n By Balrina Ahluwalia, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Tax evasion is considered a felony under federal law, involving deliberate actions to evade paying taxes owed. This can include underreporting income, claiming false deductions, or not filing returns. The severity of the crime, such as the amount of tax evaded and the intent, influences whether state charges are misdemeanors or felonies. Penalties vary, with felonies carrying heavier fines and longer prison terms.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Tax evasion is a type of tax fraud<\/a> charge. It refers to illegally and deliberately avoiding paying taxes owed. Because it\u2019s intentional, tax evasion is a criminal offense. Whether it\u2019s charged as a felony or misdemeanor, however, depends on several factors.<\/p>\r\n

In this article, we explore some of these considerations as well as principles underlying this area of law. If you\u2019re facing tax evasion charges, consider speaking with a criminal defense attorney<\/a>. They can help you understand your options, which may include negotiating a reduction in your charges and\/or penalties.<\/p>\r\n

But first, let\u2019s begin by ensuring we understand what tax evasion is.<\/p>\r\n

Tax Evasion<\/h2>\r\n

Tax evasion<\/a> is when people or entities try to avoid paying the taxes they owe to the government. It falls into the white-collar crime category because it\u2019s nonviolent and committed for financial gain.<\/p>\r\n

Tax evasion can involve any type of tax, but it most commonly occurs with income tax<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

There are many ways taxpayers might try to evade taxes when they file tax returns. Some common examples include:<\/p>\r\n