Question: What is the Difference Between Tax Avoidance and Tax Evasion?

Answer:

The difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion:

Tax avoidance is the legitimate minimizing of taxes, using methods approved by the IRS. Businesses avoid taxes by taking all legitimate deductions and by sheltering income from taxes by setting up employee retirement plans and other means, all legal and under the Internal Revenue Code or state tax codes.

Tax evasion, on the other hand, is the illegal practice of not paying taxes, by not reporting income, reporting expenses not legally allowed, or by not paying taxes owed.

Tax evasion is most commonly thought of in relation to income taxes, but tax evasion can be practiced by businesses on state sales taxes and on employment taxes. In fact, tax evasion can be practiced on all the taxes a business owes.

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