Income tax evasion occurs when a person does not file a tax return when they are required to in order for their tax filings to be complete and accurate. Penalties for such a crime can be civil and criminal. The civil penalties allow the IRS to assess interest of taxes due for the period of time that taxes were evaded and these penalties can accrue indefinitely. Criminal penalties can be brought within 6 years of the date the taxes should have been filed. Furthermore, a person may be fined up to $25,000 per year as well as face prison time for each year of non-filing.