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McGuire Law

Columbia Tax Crimes Defense Lawyer

Tax crime allegations from the IRS Criminal Investigation Division or South Carolina Department of Revenue transform civil tax disputes into federal prosecution threatening decades in prison, millions in fines, and complete destruction of your professional reputation and financial security in Columbia, South Carolina and throughout the District of South Carolina.

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Available 24/7 - Immediate Response for IRS Criminal Investigations

Attorney Matt McGuire

Whether you're a Columbia business owner accused of payroll tax fraud, a professional charged with filing false returns, a contractor under investigation for unreported income, or facing allegations of tax evasion involving offshore accounts, criminal tax prosecution differs fundamentally from civil audits—agents aren't seeking payment, they're building cases to imprison you. IRS-CI special agents and federal prosecutors in the District of South Carolina pursue tax crimes aggressively against Columbia business owners, medical professionals, attorneys, accountants, and individuals whose financial situations attracted scrutiny.

Matt McGuire has defended tax crime allegations throughout Columbia for over three decades, understanding the critical distinctions between civil tax controversies and criminal prosecutions, when to assert Fifth Amendment protections, and how to navigate parallel civil and criminal proceedings without creating evidence used against you. Call (888) 499-5738 now for 24/7/365 representation.

The Legal Expertise of McGuire Law

Federal tax prosecutions demand attorneys who understand IRS Criminal Investigation procedures, grand jury practice, and the complex intersection of tax law and criminal defense.

IRS-CI Investigation Knowledge

Over 30 years defending clients against IRS Criminal Investigation Division inquiries—understanding when agents appear, what they're seeking, and how to protect your rights from the first contact.

Federal Court Experience

Extensive experience in District of South Carolina federal court prosecutions, understanding judges, prosecutors, and effective defense strategies specific to tax crimes.

Willfulness Defense Expertise

Tax crimes require willfulness—voluntary, intentional violation of known legal duties. We build defenses around honest mistakes, reliance on professionals, and legitimate tax positions.

Parallel Proceedings Navigation

Managing the dangerous intersection of civil audits and criminal investigations—statements in civil matters become criminal evidence without proper guidance.

Voluntary Disclosure Coordination

Evaluating whether voluntary disclosure to IRS is appropriate—coming forward before investigation begins may avoid criminal prosecution entirely.

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Specific Tax Crimes We Defend

Federal tax crimes carry severe penalties including years in prison and hundreds of thousands in fines—understanding each charge is essential to building effective defenses.

Tax Evasion

26 U.S.C. § 7201 involves willfully attempting to evade or defeat taxes, carrying up to five years imprisonment and $250,000 in fines per count.

Filing False Tax Returns

26 U.S.C. § 7206(1) for willfully making materially false statements on returns, punishable by up to three years imprisonment per return filed.

Failure to File Returns

26 U.S.C. § 7203 when willful, carrying up to one year imprisonment and $100,000 fines per unfiled year—often charged for multiple years.

Employment Tax Fraud

Failure to pay over withheld payroll taxes to IRS, prosecuted under various statutes with enhanced penalties for business owners and responsible persons.

Tax Preparer Fraud

26 U.S.C. § 7206(2) for preparers who aid or assist in filing false returns, carrying three-year maximum sentences per fraudulent return.

Conspiracy to Defraud IRS

18 U.S.C. § 371 for agreements to impede or impair IRS functions through deceit—often charged alongside substantive tax crimes.

Willfulness Requirement

Tax crimes require willfulness—voluntary, intentional violation of known legal duties. Honest mistakes, reliance on accountants or attorneys, or misunderstanding complex tax laws don't constitute crimes.

McGuire Law's Core Values

When federal agents are building a case to imprison you over tax allegations, you need an attorney who combines federal court experience with unwavering commitment to protecting your freedom.

Immediate Response

Tax investigations move quickly—by the time IRS-CI agents contact you, they've often spent months building cases. We respond immediately to protect your rights from first contact.

Strategic Silence

Understanding when to speak and when to invoke Fifth Amendment protections. Every statement to investigators either builds your defense or strengthens prosecution.

Comprehensive Analysis

Examining every financial record, tax return, and document to identify weaknesses in government theories and build defenses challenging their proof of income.

Professional Coordination

Working with CPAs and tax attorneys under Kovel agreements to protect communications while building comprehensive defense strategies.

Reputation Protection

Understanding that tax charges destroy professional licenses, careers, and reputations—fighting not just for freedom but for everything you've built.

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Warning Signs of Investigation

Recognizing early warning signs of IRS criminal investigation allows protective action before agents build complete cases—knowledge is your first defense.

IRS-CI Agent Contact

Special agents appearing at your Columbia home or business identifying themselves and requesting interviews about tax returns or financial matters.

Grand Jury Subpoenas

Subpoenas for bank records, business documents, or testimony indicating federal investigation in District of South Carolina.

Whistleblower Complaints

Former employees, business partners, or ex-spouses reporting alleged tax violations triggering IRS-CI investigations.

Civil Audit Referrals

IRS revenue agents discovering fraud indicators during examinations and referring to Criminal Investigation Division.

Lifestyle Analysis

Agents comparing reported income to observable spending on homes, vehicles, travel, or luxury items in Columbia.

Third-Party Interviews

Agents interviewing banks, employers, or business associates about your finances—often before you know you're under investigation.

The McGuire Law Difference

Tax crime defense requires attorneys who understand both complex tax law and federal criminal procedure—Matt McGuire brings three decades of this specialized expertise to every case.

Three Decades of Federal Tax Defense

Matt McGuire has defended tax crime allegations throughout Columbia for over 30 years, protecting clients in IRS-CI investigations, grand jury proceedings, and federal prosecutions.

Former Prosecutor Insight

As a former Assistant Attorney General and Assistant Solicitor, Matt understands how federal prosecutors build tax cases—and where those cases are vulnerable to attack.

District of South Carolina Experience

Extensive practice in federal court in Columbia, understanding judges, prosecutors, and effective defense strategies specific to this jurisdiction.

CPA and Tax Attorney Network

Relationships with accountants and tax attorneys who work under Kovel agreements protecting communications while building comprehensive defense strategies.

Pre-Indictment Intervention

Engaging early in investigations to present favorable evidence, challenge government theories, and potentially prevent indictment before charges are filed.

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Defense Strategies

Tax crime defense requires challenging willfulness, attacking government proof of income, and protecting constitutional rights at every stage of investigation and prosecution.

Challenging Willfulness

  • Honest mistake or negligence defense
  • Good faith reliance on accountants or attorneys
  • Reasonable interpretation of complex tax laws
  • Lack of intent to violate known legal duties

Procedural Defenses

  • Fifth Amendment protections against self-incrimination
  • Statute of limitations enforcement (generally six years)
  • Attacking government income reconstruction methods
  • Selective or vindictive prosecution challenges

Kovel Agreement Protection

Kovel agreements protect communications between you, your attorney, and accountants necessary for legal defense—ensuring financial professionals can assist without creating additional evidence.

Sentencing Consequences

Tax crime convictions create devastating consequences beyond imprisonment—destroying careers, professional licenses, and financial security for years after release.

Federal Imprisonment

Ranging from one to five years per count depending on charges, with multiple counts creating decades of exposure in federal prison.

Criminal Fines

Up to $250,000 per felony count ($500,000 for corporations) plus costs of prosecution assessed against defendants.

Restitution Orders

Payment of all unpaid taxes, interest, and civil fraud penalties on top of criminal fines—often totaling hundreds of thousands.

Professional License Revocation

CPAs, attorneys, doctors, and licensed professionals face automatic or discretionary license revocation upon tax crime convictions.

Civil Fraud Penalties

IRS civil fraud penalties of 75% of underpaid taxes in addition to criminal restitution, interest, and late payment penalties.

State Tax Prosecution

South Carolina Department of Revenue can proceed separately from federal charges, creating additional criminal exposure.

Rights During IRS Investigations

Understanding and asserting your rights during IRS criminal investigations is critical—unlike civil audits, criminal investigators are building cases to imprison you.

Never Speak Without Attorney

Never speak to IRS-CI special agents without attorney representation—unlike revenue agents, criminal investigators build prosecution cases, not resolve tax issues.

Assert Fifth Amendment

State clearly: "I want my lawyer and will not answer questions" when special agents appear—invoke this right immediately and completely.

Refuse Document Production

Do not voluntarily produce documents or provide access to records, computers, or financial information without attorney review.

Deny Search Consent

Refuse consent to searches of homes, businesses, vehicles, or electronic devices—force agents to obtain grand jury subpoenas or search warrants.

Careful Communications

Do not contact your accountant immediately after agent visits—these communications may be monitored through subpoenas or surveillance.

Call Immediately

Contact Matt McGuire at (888) 499-5738 immediately upon learning of IRS-CI contact, grand jury subpoenas, or criminal investigation.

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Voluntary Disclosure Options

Coming forward before IRS initiates investigations may avoid criminal prosecution—but timing is critical and requires careful legal analysis.

IRS Voluntary Disclosure Practice

Allowing taxpayers to come forward before investigations begin, potentially avoiding criminal prosecution while resolving civil liabilities.

Offshore Disclosure Programs

For unreported foreign accounts and income, resolving FBAR violations and foreign tax issues through structured voluntary compliance.

Delinquent Filing Submissions

For taxpayers with unfiled returns seeking to comply without criminal referral through proper submission procedures.

Civil Resolution

Resolving tax controversies before criminal investigations commence, paying taxes, interest, and civil penalties to avoid prosecution.

Critical Timing

Voluntary disclosure must occur before IRS initiates investigations or receives information from third parties—timing determines eligibility.

Professional Coordination

Matt McGuire coordinates with tax attorneys and CPAs evaluating whether voluntary disclosure is appropriate for your specific situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Those facing IRS criminal investigations have urgent questions about their rights, defenses, and potential outcomes. Here are direct answers based on federal tax law.

What's the difference between IRS audit and criminal investigation?

Civil audits seek tax payment; criminal investigations seek imprisonment. IRS-CI special agents build prosecution cases—they're not trying to resolve your tax issues.

Should I talk to IRS agents to explain?

Never. Invoke your Fifth Amendment rights immediately. Statements to IRS-CI agents become prosecution evidence. There is no "clearing things up" in criminal investigations.

I relied on my accountant—is that a defense?

Yes. Good faith reliance on professional tax advice can negate willfulness—a required element of all tax crimes. Documentation of that reliance is critical.

What is the statute of limitations for tax crimes?

Generally six years from filing date or due date. However, conspiracy charges and certain violations have different limitations, and tolling can extend exposure.

Can I avoid prosecution through voluntary disclosure?

Possibly. Coming forward before IRS initiates investigation may avoid criminal prosecution. However, timing and specific circumstances determine eligibility.

Will I lose my professional license?

Tax crime convictions typically result in professional license revocation for CPAs, attorneys, doctors, and other licensed professionals—fighting the charges protects your career.

What if I just didn't understand the tax laws?

Tax crimes require willfulness—voluntary, intentional violation of known legal duties. Honest misunderstanding of complex tax laws isn't criminal, though proving this requires skilled defense.

How much prison time am I facing?

Tax evasion carries up to five years per count; false returns up to three years per return. Multiple counts create decades of potential exposure under federal sentencing guidelines.

Matt McGuire - Attorney

About South Carolina Attorney Matt McGuire

Matt McGuire South Carolina Attorney

With over 30 years of experience defending South Carolina, McGuire Law provides elite legal representation with national recognition. McGuire Law has grown from a small practice into one of the most trusted law firms in South Carolina. We understand that legal issues can be overwhelming, whether you're facing criminal charges, dealing with injuries from an accident, or navigating family law matters.

McGuire Law is committed to each client's unique situation, and we don't believe in boilerplate solutions. Every case requires careful analysis, strategic planning, and aggressive representation. Our firm combines over 30 years of experience with cutting-edge legal strategies to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients.

McGuire Law serves all 46 South Carolina counties. We know these counties, their courts, their legal communities, and most importantly, the people who live here. This local knowledge, combined with our legal expertise, gives our clients a significant advantage.

Matt McGuire received his B.A. from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and his J.D. from the University of South Carolina.

Matt has served as a law clerk for a State Circuit Judge, an Assistant Attorney General for the State of South Carolina, and an Assistant Solicitor in the Fifth Circuit Solicitor's Office.

Matt is a proud husband, father of two, and a long-time resident of Richland County, South Carolina.

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Get Started Today

When you're contacted by IRS Criminal Investigation, SC DOR enforcement agents, or learn you're under grand jury investigation, every statement to investigators, every document produced, and every action you take either builds your defense or strengthens prosecution.

These investigations often begin quietly—IRS agents interviewing banks, employers, or business associates before you know you're under investigation. By the time special agents appear at your door or Columbia office, prosecutors have spent months building cases. Matt McGuire protects your freedom. Call McGuire Law now.

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Columbia Office

2001 Assembly Street, Suite 102-B
Columbia, SC 29201

(888) 499-5738

Contact McGuire Law Today

Matt McGuire has defended tax crime allegations throughout Columbia and South Carolina for over 30 years, protecting clients in IRS-CI investigations, federal grand jury proceedings, and criminal tax prosecutions in the District of South Carolina. Call (888) 499-5738 immediately upon learning of IRS-CI contact, grand jury subpoenas, or any indication of criminal tax investigation.

"Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do." — John Wooden