Tax

Tax Fraud

Michael Levinsohn has successfully represented individuals in Chicago for many different types of tax and fraud cases.  The State Attorney General prosecutes cases when retailers do not pay the proper amount with regard to:

  • Alcohol taxes
  • Cigarette taxes
  • Gasoline taxes
  • Sales tax and
  • Occupational taxes
  • Sale of merchandise with fake trademarks
  • Sale of bootleg movies

Each filing of a false return is a Class 3 felony.  Effective January 1, 2013: With regard to the Retailer’s Occupation Tax (sales tax), if the amount of tax avoided is $10,000 but less than $100,000, that is a Class 2 felony.  If the amount of loss is $100,000 or more, that is a Class 1 felony.

The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDR) investigates the following tax fraud and tax evasion areas: Illinois Income Tax, Use Tax, Service Use Tax, Service Occupation Tax, Retailers’ Occupation Tax, Cigarette Tax, Cigarette Use Tax, Tobacco Products Tax, Hotel Operators’ Occupation Tax, Motor Fuel Tax, Automobile Renting Occupation and Use Tax, Coin-Operated Amusement Device and Redemption Machine Tax, Gas Revenue Tax, Gas Use Tax, and other taxes commonly referred to as sales tax.

If your accountant cannot resolve these tax issues, I can fight your case in the Illinois Independent Tax Tribunal.  This court was set up the State of Illinois to help taxpayers who were unfairly targeted by the Illinois Department Revenue (IDR) for unpaid taxes and penalties.

A Chicago Fraud Attorney Can Help

The first line of defense with tax cases is to try to prevent a case from being filed.  If you hire an experienced attorney early in the prosecution, it is possible to prevent the investigator from obtaining incriminating statements that could form the basis of a criminal prosecution.  In defending fake merchandise or improperly stamped cigarette cases, Michael Levinsohn has often times been able to prove that a client did not know that the merchandise was fake or that the wrong stamp was on the cigarette pack.

The State’s Attorney prosecutes fraud cases involving:

  • Credit cards
  • Identification
  • Forgery
  • Identity Theft

You Can Prevent a Felony Charge

Possession of a altered or counterfeit credit or debit card can be charged as a either a Class 3 or 4 felony.  Identity theft (Class 4 felony) is the use of another person’s identifying information in order to obtain credit, goods, or services.  If another person’s identity is used to steal money then the class felony is higher.  Forgery is when a person possesses a false document with intent to use the document knowing that it is false.  Forgery is generally a Class 3 felony.  

The best defense to the possession of false documents is to prove that you do not have knowledge that the card or document is fraudulent.  This can be done by presenting to the court the circumstances under which a person gave those documents to you with the assurances that the check or card was real. Proving this is not easy to do alone. 

If you have been charged for falsifying documents of any kind, or not paying the right amount of taxes, seek legal consultation immediately. Chicago Tax and Fraud Attorney, Michael Levinsohn, can help stop you from being charged with a felony. With the proper defense strategy and legal representation, your record can be cleaned.

 

Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulations – IDFPR

We Defend Your License

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, IDFPR also known as the IDPR, is responsible for licensing over 100 different businesses and professions in the State of Illinois.  The IDFPR / IDPR is also brings disciplinary actions against various businesses for licensing infractions.