What Is Tax Fraud?

Tax fraud is when someone intentionally lies or cheats on their taxes to avoid paying the right amount of money. Taxes are the money that individuals and businesses are required to pay to fund things like schools, roads, and emergency services. People commit tax fraud by doing things like lying about how much money they made, hiding money in secret accounts, or claiming deductions and benefits they don’t qualify for. This is illegal because it takes money away from public services that everyone relies on.

Tax fraud has big consequences. If you’re caught, you could face large fines, be required to pay back the money they owe, or even go to jail. Louisiana Department of Revenue has systems and investigators to catch tax fraud, so it’s usually not worth the risk. It’s always better to pay what you owe, even if it might seem like a lot. Paying taxes fairly helps communities thrive and makes sure everyone shares the responsibility of funding important services.