A criminal tax attorney is one who represents someone who is charged with a crime such as tax evasion. Tax charges are often filed on people regardless of whether they intentionally evaded taxes, forgot to file taxes, or simply made an error when filing their taxes. It is important to have someone who understands the laws on board since tax laws are complicated and most ordinary people aren't familiar enough with the laws to fight the government themselves. Criminal tax evasion is no small matter and it is highly recommended that anyone facing those charges have a good criminal tax attorney. The lawyer can help you with what to say to the IRS agents (although, of course, it will be the truth, you don't want to incriminate yourself further). The IRS plays for keeps and they virtually show no mercy when it comes to taxes. Having a good tax attorney can also offer you peace of mind you may need when dealing with the government and the IRS. There are people who honestly make mistakes on their tax returns and while they still might owe the taxes, must prove that it was not a deliberate attempt to defraud the government.