Are you looking for an IRS criminal tax investigation lawyer in Hanover, MD?
At Crepeau Mourges, we are criminal tax defense lawyers committed to thorough preparation in every matter we handle.
If you’ve been contacted by IRS Criminal Investigation special agents or learned that a federal investigation has been opened into your tax filings, the decisions you make in the next few days matter. An IRS criminal tax investigation can result in federal indictment, significant financial penalties, and prison time. At Crepeau Mourges, our attorneys represent individuals, business owners, and corporate taxpayers facing criminal tax allegations throughout Hanover and Anne Arundel County. A Hanover, MD IRS criminal tax investigation lawyer at Crepeau Mourges can protect your rights and build the strongest possible defense. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.
IRS Criminal Tax Investigation Lawyer Hanover, MD
An IRS criminal tax investigation is a federal law enforcement proceeding run by the IRS Criminal Investigation Division. Unlike a civil audit, it targets taxpayers the government believes have willfully violated the Internal Revenue Code. These cases involve allegations such as tax evasion, filing false returns, concealing offshore assets, and money laundering.
In 2025, a Parkton, Maryland business owner was convicted on 16 counts of employment tax fraud following an IRS criminal investigation. Nationally, the division maintains a federal conviction rate above 90%, according to its FY2025 annual report. If you are under investigation in Hanover, MD, those numbers make one thing clear: you need a criminal tax investigation attorney on your side as early as possible.
Types of IRS Criminal Tax Investigation Cases We Handle in Hanover
IRS Criminal Investigation pursues a range of federal tax offenses. At Crepeau Mourges, we represent clients in Hanover, MD facing allegations across the full spectrum of criminal tax matters.
- Tax evasion. Federal prosecutors charge tax evasion when an individual or business willfully attempts to avoid paying taxes owed. This can involve hiding income, maintaining dual sets of books, using shell entities, or transferring assets to conceal taxable earnings. A conviction carries up to five years in federal prison.
- Tax fraud. Tax fraud charges arise when a taxpayer intentionally submits false or misleading information to the IRS. This is frequently classified as a white-collar crime and carries substantial prison time and financial penalties upon conviction.
- Filing false returns. Submitting a return that contains material misstatements about income, deductions, or credits is a felony. Each false return filed may be treated as a separate count in a federal indictment, which means exposure compounds quickly.
- Failure to file. Willfully refusing to file required federal tax returns is a criminal offense. It differs from simply filing late. Unfiled tax returns can escalate from a civil matter to a criminal one when the IRS determines willful intent.
- Employment tax fraud. Business owners who fail to collect, account for, and remit payroll taxes face serious criminal exposure. These cases often involve allegations that an employer withheld taxes from employees but diverted the funds elsewhere.
- FBAR. Taxpayers holding foreign bank accounts exceeding $10,000 in aggregate value must file a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts. Willful failure to file an FBAR can result in criminal prosecution and steep penalties per violation.
- IRS voluntary disclosure. Taxpayers who have not complied with federal tax obligations may come forward through the IRS voluntary disclosure process before an investigation begins. This approach can significantly reduce prosecution risk, though it requires careful legal guidance to navigate properly.
- Money laundering. Financial transactions designed to conceal the source of income derived from tax crimes or other illegal activity can lead to separate federal charges. IRS Criminal Investigation frequently pursues money laundering alongside tax fraud allegations.
Why Choose Crepeau Mourges as My IRS Criminal Tax Investigation Lawyer in Hanover, MD?
Criminal Tax Defense in Maryland
Brandon N. Mourges co-founded Crepeau Mourges and concentrates his practice on criminal tax defense and complex financial investigations. He earned an LL.M. in Taxation and a J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law, and holds a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School. He is a member of the Federal Bar Association, the American Association of Attorney-CPAs, and the Anne Arundel Bar Association.
Mr. Mourges has been named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers and appeared on Benchmark Litigation’s “40 & Under Hot List.” He received the J. Ronald Shiff Memorial Pro Bono Award from the Maryland State Bar Association and was recognized as a Readers’ Choice Top Author in Tax by JD Supra in 2020. He has been featured by Bloomberg News and regularly speaks on criminal tax defense topics at legal forums.
Brian J. Crepeau co-founded the firm and brings decades of practice in federal and state tax controversy. He is admitted in Maryland, Florida, and the United States Tax Court. The depth of preparation across both founding attorneys is exactly what you want from an IRS tax lawyer in Hanover, MD when your case involves a federal criminal investigation.
What Is Important To Understand About IRS Criminal Tax Investigation Cases?
Charges, Penalties, and Defense Strategies for Criminal Tax Cases
Federal criminal tax charges carry penalties that extend well beyond financial fines. Depending on the offense, a conviction can result in:
- Up to five years in prison for tax evasion
- Up to three years for filing false returns or willful failure to file
- Fines up to $250,000 for individuals and $500,000 for corporations
- Restitution for unpaid taxes, interest, and civil fraud penalties
- A permanent federal conviction record
Defense strategies vary based on the charges and evidence. Common approaches include challenging the element of willfulness, disputing the government’s tax loss calculation, negotiating with the DOJ Tax Division to reduce or drop charges, and presenting mitigating factors at sentencing.
What Are Important Aspects of an IRS Criminal Tax Investigation Case?
Every criminal tax case the government builds depends on one central element: willfulness. The prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the taxpayer knew the law required a certain action and deliberately chose not to comply. This burden of proof creates real opportunities for defense.
Other critical factors include:
- The scope and duration of the alleged conduct
- Whether the taxpayer made any voluntary corrections or filed amended returns
- The level of cooperation during any prior IRS audit
- Involvement of third parties such as accountants, preparers, or business partners
- The accuracy and completeness of financial records
Being accused of tax fraud does not guarantee a conviction. The government loses criminal tax cases when it cannot establish intent. Mistakes, reliance on a tax professional’s advice, and good-faith errors in interpreting the tax code can all serve as legitimate defenses against allegations of willful conduct.
What Is the IRS Criminal Tax Investigation Case Timeline?
IRS criminal investigations typically take one to three years from initiation to resolution. The investigation process generally follows this progression:
- Primary investigation. IRS CI reviews initial information to determine whether criminal conduct may have occurred.
- Subject criminal investigation. If approved, special agents gather evidence through subpoenas, surveillance, interviews, and document analysis.
- Special agent’s report. The completed investigation is submitted to IRS CI management for review and recommendation.
- DOJ referral. Approved cases are forwarded to the Department of Justice for prosecution decisions.
- Grand jury and indictment. If accepted, a federal grand jury may be convened to seek an indictment.
The earlier a criminal tax defense lawyer in Hanover, MD gets involved, the more options remain available. Pre-indictment intervention can sometimes prevent charges from ever being filed.
What Should You Bring to Your IRS Criminal Tax Investigation Consultation?
Preparation matters when meeting with an IRS criminal tax attorney. Bring the following if you have them:
- Letters, notices, or summonses from the IRS or IRS Criminal Investigation
- Federal and state tax returns for the years in question
- Correspondence with your accountant or tax preparer
- Bank statements, brokerage records, and financial account information
- Business records, including payroll documents and corporate filings
Your attorney will review these materials, assess your legal exposure, and outline potential strategies for defending against the IRS.
Hanover Federal Courts and Criminal Justice Resources
Criminal tax cases in Hanover, MD are prosecuted in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. The Northern Division sits at the Edward A. Garmatz Courthouse, 101 West Lombard Street in Baltimore, approximately 15 miles from Hanover. The Southern Division is located in Greenbelt.
The IRS Criminal Investigation Washington, DC Field Office covers all of Maryland, including Anne Arundel County. Cases investigated by this office are referred to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland for prosecution.
Reach Out to Crepeau Mourges to Schedule a Consultation
If you are under IRS criminal investigation or believe one may be approaching, speaking with a criminal tax investigation attorney in Hanover, MD should be your first step. Crepeau Mourges offers free consultations where we review your situation, explain the potential charges, and outline a path forward. Early intervention makes a meaningful difference in the outcome. Contact us to schedule a confidential case review.
