Tax evasion is the illegal act of not paying taxes owed to the government. This can happen when individuals or businesses deliberately misreport their income, claim false deductions, or hide money in offshore accounts. By doing so, they avoid their legal obligation to contribute to public services and infrastructure. Governments around the world take tax evasion seriously, as it undermines the economy and fairness in the tax system. Penalties for tax evasion can include hefty fines and even imprisonment. Authorities, such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the United States, actively investigate and prosecute those suspected of evading taxes.