Strong Counsel And Defense In Sales Tax Investigations

Failure to send in sales tax can result in an arrest and prosecution. When a business collects sales tax, a return has to be filed and the money is supposed to be sent in. When businesses are in financial trouble, sometimes the money gets spent on necessary expenses to keep the business afloat. You can be charged with grand theft and prosecuted if investigators claim you have done this.

If you get a call or visit from a criminal investigator from the Florida Department of Revenue, contact our office immediately. Criminal investigators do not collect taxes; they put you in jail.

For a free consultation, please call our tax crime defense lawyers in Fort Myers at 239-955-6715 or complete our contact form. We represent clients throughout Fort Myers and the surrounding areas.

It Is Easy To Fall Behind And Hard To Catch Up

Small businesses like used car dealerships, boat dealerships and family owned restaurants in desperation sometimes spend the money on other things. The collected sales tax belongs to the State of Florida, and failure to remit it can result in prosecution. Bankruptcy does not help. You can still be prosecuted.

Often a bankruptcy will only make things worse and trigger a sales tax investigation and prosecution. Attorney Peter Aiken is a former criminal tax investigator and former tax prosecutor. Our firm has extensive experience in tax crime cases.

If you are contacted, call us immediately. Do not turn over your records before we speak with you.

There Are Defenses In Sales Tax Cases

Getting legal representation quickly is important. Do not try to talk your way out of it. It may not be your fault. Was the business behind on taxes when you bought it? Are you the one actually responsible for collecting and paying taxes? Were the returns filed timely? Did you put your own money into the business?

Liquor Stores and Convenience Stores Are Targeted For Audit and Investigation

The State of Florida monitors your beer and liquor purchases and compares those purchases with sales. Convenience stores sometimes have two registers or a second set of records and cheat on sales tax. We regularly work with local CPA offices to resolve criminal issues in Lee, Charlotte and Sarasota counties. We encourage you to contact us today if your store has been targeted for investigation.

Contact Aiken & O’Halloran For A Free Consultation

For a free consultation, please call us in Fort Myers at 239-955-6715 or complete our contact form. Our criminal defense lawyers represent clients throughout the Fort Myers area.