Tax Evasion Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Tax Evasion.

Tax Evasion (noun): The deliberate act of misrepresenting or undervaluing taxable income to the government with the intention of illegally reducing the amount of tax owed. This is different from legal tax reductions which can be obtained through legitimate deductions and adjustments. It is a punishable crime, and the government must prove intentional fraud, not mere neglect or default, to prosecute.