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Financial Chaos

Effective Resolution Of Criminal Tax Matters

Ever since Stuart B. Ratner, P.C., opened over 25 years ago, regularly defending clients in criminal tax prosecutions is one of the Firm’s major practice areas. Our extensive tax law experience enables us to effectively represent clients faced with a criminal tax investigation conducted by the IRS Criminal Investigations Division, the Tax Division of the Department of Justice, or the local U.S. Attorney’s office. 

Stuart B. Ratner, P.C., has successfully represented many individuals under investigation for or accused of:

  • Failing to file tax returns, report income or collect and pay over employment taxes
  • Fraudulently overstating deductions or presenting false documents to the IRS
  • Misappropriating sales tax or employment tax trust funds
  • Structuring cash deposits to avoid cash transaction reporting requirements
  • Making payments “off the books” 
  • Money laundering and check kiting or conspiracy to impede or obstruct the IRS

We work tirelessly and use our experience and creativity to resolve these and many other tax issues before charges get filed, and investigations become public. Our deep understanding of government administrative systems and processes complements our comprehensive knowledge of the tax codes. These professional skills enable us to obtain the most favorable outcome possible for our clients.

Advocacy For State Tax Crimes

The criminal prosecution of individuals who have not filed returns or paid their outstanding tax liability now happens with higher frequency in Connecticut and New York. The Connecticut Department of Revenue Services regularly converts a civil tax liability into a criminal matter if the taxpayer ignores the department’s collection agents.

After a referral, the department’s criminal agents will arrest the taxpayer, schedule a criminal court date, and usually release the taxpayer with a promise to appear in criminal court. On some occasions, the department’s criminal agent will put the taxpayer in jail and require a bond, which creates additional expense. We handle these types of matters routinely. 

Minimizing And Eliminating Negative Outcomes

We know the DRS attorneys and criminal agents, and we can usually arrange for the taxpayer to pay off the tax liability over several months and avoid a conviction. We have a track record of success at convincing the department to withdraw the criminal charges if the circumstances warrant. Because every Connecticut criminal tax matter reports to the Hartford Criminal Court, we have an arrangement with a local Hartford criminal attorney who handles the Hartford Criminal Court hearings. This arrangement lowers our clients’ legal fees.

Get Legal Relief For Your Tax Issue

If you face a Connecticut criminal tax claim, we can help. Give Stuart B. Ratner, P.C., a call at 203-323-4900 or contact us online.

Practice Areas

Criminal Tax Matters

  • Federal and state criminal tax
  • Currency structuring, cash transaction reports, and SAR investigations
  • Foreign tax matters, offshore tax issues, FATCA, FBAR issues
  • Domestic and offshore voluntary disclosures
  • Unreported income
  • Money laundering and check kiting
  • Fictitious expenses
  • Misappropriation of sales tax and employment tax trust funds
  • Tax fraud
  • False statements and false claims
  • Evasion
  • Structuring