YOU MAY HAVE SEEN TODD SPODEK ON THE NETFLIX SHOW INVENTING ANNA
When you’re facing a federal issue, you need an attorney whose going to be available 24/7 to help you get the results and outcome you need. The value of working with the Spodek Law Group is that we treat each and every client like a member of our family.
Buffalo Tax Fraud Lawyers
In New York State, Criminal Tax Fraud is the name for tax evasion. This white collar crime carries some of the worst potential penalties of any of the other potential charges. Pursuant to New York Penal Law 1806, criminal tax fraud is:
“a tax fraud act or acts […] with the intent to evade any tax due under this chapter, or to defraud the state or any subdivision of the state, the person pays the state and/or a political subdivision of the state (whether by means of underpayment or receipt of refund or both), in a period of not more than one year [more or less] than the tax liability that is due.”
This offense can be committed by filing a return that would indicate you owe less than your actual tax liability. You can also get charged if you obtain a return that is far greater than what you are actually due.
Facing the Internal Revenue Service or the New York State Tax Commission can be a daunting process for most individuals. Not only are the laws and issues often convoluted, but the bureaucracy can also be overwhelming. Going up against these without the assistance our experienced Buffalo tax fraud lawyers could be disastrous.
If you are looking for a lawyer that listens, is aggressive where needed, and holds his word above all else, Todd is the best pick. I had hired multiple attorneys prior to hiring the Spodek Group for a white collar case. The first thing that stood out to me was the cost, as anyone going through the process and dealing with the system, money was tight at that time - especially after hiring and firing multiple lawyers. The cost was not as high as others which was definitely a plus. Todd's intake process was also unlike other attorneys. He took the time to actually listen. He cared. He was trying to put himself in my shoes while I was explaining the situation to him and he really took the time to understand the whole situation. Other lawyers will give you 15 mins and send you a retainer agreement. Not Todd, I think he spent almost two hours with me as I was explaining everything.Not only was he great during the onboarding process, he was supportive and very informative through the entire plea process and eventually sentencing. After hiring him, I asked if I should hire a prison consultant, he told me to save my money as he would do everything they would. He was right and held up to his word. Later on I would hear from others that went with the prison consultants that they were a waste of money - I am glad I listened to Todd!When it came time for sentencing, two days prior to sentencing, the prosecutor tried increasing my proposed prison time by almost double - apparently a normal move. Todd and his team worked with me non-stop through the weekend prior to sentencing to ensure that I was not given additional prison time. Again, he took the time to listen and came up with a strategy to explain the case with great detail.Unfortunately, I did plead guilty as that was my best option. Todd and his whole team wrote up nearly 300 pages of a summary of what happened and why I should not be given prison time. If I breakdown the amount I spent with Todd versus the amount of work that I saw being done, I am shocked I was not charged four times as much. The other benefit was, a lot of criminal defense lawyers were just a single attorney with a paralegal or two. Todd had a team of people that I dealt with (5-7 people that I interacted with), but he was ALWAYS accessible. It would never take him more than an hour to reply unless he was in court.I was sentenced to prison and I was emotionally distraught. Todd and his team did whatever they could even after sentencing to make sure I was alright. He personally stayed in touch with my family to ensure I was doing alright and offered support to them. Most lawyers would consider the job complete at sentencing, not Todd.After prison, Todd still spent time with me to make sure I was on the right track and avoiding any potential risks in the future. He has also been giving advice on how to navigate probation etc and has not been looking at the clock for billing.Although I wish I had never been arrested in the first place, I am glad I had Todd and his team in my corner. Without them I likely would have had to spend a lot more time in prison than I did.Thank you, Todd, and the entire Spodek Law team, for helping turn what was a nightmare into a manageable situation!
I am immensely grateful to the entire team at Spodek Law Group for their unwavering dedication and exceptional expertise throughout my case. From our initial consultation to the final resolution, their professionalism and tireless advocacy made all the difference. Their strategic approach and attention to detail instilled confidence in me every step of the way.Thanks to their hard work and commitment, we achieved a truly favorable outcome that exceeded my expectations. Not only did they navigate the complexities of my case with precision, but they also provided invaluable support and guidance during what was undoubtedly a challenging time. I cannot recommend Spodek Law Group highly enough, especially attorneys Todd Spodek and Claire Banks; they are beacons of excellence in the legal profession.YSP.
Todd, Ralph and Alex are amazing. Helped my husband get from a double digit number with multiple charges to a single digit, by the time I blink he will be out. They very professional and help with all your needs. They dealt with my anxiety and worry very well and they understand that your family member needs to get home as soon as possible.
Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.
I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence.Thank you team!
I recently had Spodek Law Group represent me for a legal matter in NYC and I am thoroughly impressed with their services.Alex Zhik secured the best possible outcome for my case.It was a seamless journey from the initial consultation to the resolution of my legal matter. From the moment I spoke to Todd about my case, his enthusiasm to help was evident, setting a positive tone for the entire experience. The efficiency and professionalism displayed by the team is commendable.A particularly noteworthy aspect of their service is their user-friendly portal to upload your documents/evidence. This not only simplified the process, but showcases their commitment to streamline the client experience.Lastly, in an industry where legal fees can often be a concern, I found their pricing to be very reasonable, making needing legal assistance feel accessible and stress-free.I am grateful for their support and wouldn't hesitate to turn to them again in the future.
Dealing with a tax controversy will be stressful, especially in light of the fact that the penalties and interest may continue to add up for every day you are unable to get a resolution. In addition, many tax issues arrive completely out of seemingly nowhere and you had no idea you were doing anything wrong to begin with, and you suddenly have a legal problem that necessitates immediate and decisive legal assistance.
Due to the serious nature of this crime, it is important to ensure you get highly skilled legal representation from an experienced and successful Buffalo criminal defense attorney. The skilled professionals at our law firm have decades of experience representing clients in court. The dedication they show to those they represent and their ethical conduct has gotten them a long list of accolades.
The Repercussions of a Criminal Tax Fraud Conviction
In the category of “white collar” crimes, Criminal Tax Fraud carries some of the steepest penalties, depending on the nature of the money that the government was fraudulently deprived. There are five levels of severity of tax evasion. Most of these are considered a felony and carry penalties including jail time, heavy fines, and possible loss of other rights or privileges. That could include some professional licenses or memberships that you rely upon having for your livelihood.
In Buffalo, criminal tax evasion is classified as follows:
Fifth degree Criminal Tax Fraud is misdemeanor charge committed by defrauding the government of any amount of $2,999 or less over a period not exceeding one year. This crime is punishable by up to one year in prison.
Fourth degree Criminal Tax Fraud is a class “E” felony charge. One commits this form of fraud by defrauding the government of $3,000-$10,000 over a period not exceeding one year. This carries a penalty of up to four years in prison.
Third degree Criminal Tax Fraud is a class “D” felony charge. This committed by defrauding the government of $10,000-$50,000 over a period that does not exceed one year. Punishable by as much as seven years in prison.
Second degree Criminal Tax Fraud is a class “C” felony charge committed by defrauding the government of $50,000-$1,000,000 over a period no longer than one year. The penalty for this crime is up to 15 years in prison.
First degree Criminal Tax Fraud is a class “B” felony charge. This is committed by defrauding the government of an amount greater than $1,000,000 over a period of less than one year. This is punishable by up to four years in prison.
Every year, the government reports hundreds of billions of dollars of losses to tax fraud. To deal with the problem, both the IRS and the State of New York have adopted whistleblower programs that provide significant rewards to those who blow the whistle on persons and businesses that owe significant tax liabilities. For blowing the whistle on violations of the tax law, New York imposes three times damages and offers whistleblowers up to 30 percent of the damages recovered from the defendant.
Types of Tax Fraud that Are Often Used to Support a Whistleblower Claim
Indeed, no list can be exhaustive. Nonetheless, there are some common types of tax fraud that could support a whistleblower claim under either or both the IRS and New York tax whistleblower plans include:
Stashing money in secret, offshore accounts
Investing in or promoting fake tax shelters
Misclassifying employees and paying employees cash under the table
Failure to report or concealing income and/or exaggerating expenses or deductions
Authorization of Whisteblower Cases in New York State
More than ten years ago in August 2010, New York became the first state in the union to affirmatively authorize whistleblowers to bring cases under its false claims act on the basis of serious violations of the tax law.
The State of New York is enforcing its tax cases with great vigor. In 2014, New York arrived at a $6.2 million settlement of a whistleblower case that alleged that a particular company failed to pay state taxes. The whistleblower in that case had a claim on approximately $1 million from that settlement.
The IRS has a whistleblower program that differs from New York’s program. It too, offers significant rewards to whistleblowers when they provide information leading to the recovery of owed taxes from tax delinquents. Unlike the state provisions, the IRS whistleblower program is available to anyone who reports any owed-tax liability, not just liabilities that based on knowingly false claims.
Reach out to us today for your free consultation on your Buffalo tax fraud case.
