US Tax Attorney Answers: What are the most common reasons the IRS comes after people?

Tax Evasion – willful attempt to evade or defeat a tax assessment or its payment (26 USC § 7201).

Tax Fraud - Falsification of tax documents and false statements, and aiding or assisting in the same (26 U.S.C. § 7206).

Obstruction - Attempting to interfere with the administration of Internal Revenue Laws or federal agents acting under the Tax Code (26 U.S.C. § 7212).

Conspiracy - Felony for two or more people conspiring to commit a tax offense or to defraud the IRS (18 U.S.C. § 371).

Failure to File / Failure to Pay - Failure to pay taxes, file a return, keep records, supply information, or pay taxes (26 U.S.C. § 7203).

Fraudulent Returns, Statements or Other Documents - This is often a misdemeanor version of the above-described felony for tax evasion (26 U.S.C. § 7207).