{"id":374540,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:48","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/missouri-law\/missouri-tax-fraud-and-tax-evasion-laws.html"},"modified":"2016-06-20T19:49:06","modified_gmt":"2016-06-21T00:49:06","slug":"missouri-tax-fraud-and-tax-evasion-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/missouri-law\/missouri-tax-fraud-and-tax-evasion-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Missouri Tax Fraud and Tax Evasion Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Missouri Tax Fraud and Tax Evasion Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\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

As the saying goes, nothing is as certain as death and taxes. But, what happens if you decide to not pay those taxes<\/a>? Tax fraud or tax evasion<\/a> is when someone purposefully underpays his or her taxes. This is not an innocent mistake in preparing your taxes, but intentionally completing forms inaccurately in order to owe less to the state.<\/p>\n

Tax evasion and fraud are penalized in Missouri, both criminally and administratively<\/a> by the local Department of Revenue, depending on the fraud perpetrated and the intent of the person who owed the taxes. Read on to learn more about Missouri’s tax fraud and evasion laws.
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Tax Fraud and Tax Evasion Penalties<\/h2>\n

Generally, tax fraud and tax evasion are white collar crimes<\/a> with smaller penalties, such as a misdemeanor or infraction with a fine. Additionally, tax evaders may owe the correctly calculated unpaid taxes as well as the cost to the state of Missouri for the prosecution to collect those taxes. Both individuals and corporations can be found to evade their taxes and both can be fined accordingly.<\/p>\n

Missouri Tax Fraud and Tax Evasion Laws: Statutes<\/h2>\n

The following table highlights the main provisions of Missouri’s tax fraud related laws.<\/p>\n\n

Code Sections<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Missouri Revised Statutes: Title X – Taxation and Revenue<\/a> contains both the taxation procedural laws and penalties, including criminal, for tax evasion. This section describes primarily the administrative law outcomes, such as hearings by the County Board of Equalization, for not paying your taxes.<\/p>\n

Missouri Revised Statutes: Chapter 576 – Offenses Affecting the Government<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

What’s Prohibited? What’s the Penalty?<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Missouri prohibits any of the following tax evasion related activities, among other more specific statutes. The laws explicitly state some penalties or you must refer to the standard criminal penalty schedule in the next section.<\/p>\n

Standard Jail and Fine Schedule<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Punishments for felonies and misdemeanors in Missouri vary by class. When a corporation is the defendant, it can be significantly fined, especially if a special fine is permitted by law. The penalty ranges for tax evasion are listed below:<\/p>\n