It is very important to involve a criminal tax attorney in criminal tax investigations as soon possible after the taxpayer is contacted by the CID Agents. The taxpayer should not speak with the CID Agents, and should not give any reason for refusing to speak with them (for example: by claiming the 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination). This could do more harm than good. The taxpayer should just collect the CID Agents’ business cards, and tell them that his or her attorney will contact them.

Criminal tax cases can be simple but are typically complex matters. A taxpayer faced with such a case usually needs to assemble a team of professionals, including a criminal trial attorney, criminal tax attorney, tax accountants, investigators and other paraprofessionals. The sooner the team is assembled and working, the sooner the case may be resolved with the government.

Mr. Williams is licensed to practice law in the state of Florida, but is available to assist in criminal tax matters nationwide.