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Economic and corporate crime

Economic and corporate crime: frequently asked questions

Economic and corporate crime Tax offences, criminal liability of the company and its directors, compliance, concealment of assets, misappropriation

In brief. We assist companies and executives in economic offences such as fraud, disloyal administration, money laundering and corporate and tax offences. We coordinate the criminal defence with its commercial-law implications and assess the compliance programme, which can exclude or mitigate the liability of the legal entity.

Economic and corporate crime

Tax offences, criminal liability of the company and its directors, compliance, concealment of assets, misappropriation, disloyal administration and money laundering: what you need to know if you or your company are under investigation.

I am under investigation for an economic offence. What should I do?

The most critical thing is not to testify without first speaking privately with your lawyer. The earlier we intervene, the greater our capacity to shape the statement and the precautionary measures. In economic offences, the first statement usually conditions the entire subsequent procedure.

How does an economic offence differ from an ordinary criminal offence?

In its technical and evidentiary complexity: abundant financial and corporate documentation, the involvement of accounting experts and, increasingly, digital evidence. The defence demands legal, financial and forensic knowledge simultaneously, not merely procedural skill.

From what amount does tax fraud become a criminal offence rather than an administrative infringement?

The tax offence (Article 305 of the Criminal Code) requires a defrauded quota exceeding 120,000 euros per tax concept and period. Above 600,000 euros, or where an organised structure is involved, the aggravated form of Article 305 bis applies, with sentences of 2 to 6 years.

Can my company be convicted, and not only me as its director?

Yes. Article 31 bis of the Criminal Code provides for the autonomous criminal liability of the legal entity. However, having an effective and implemented crime-prevention model (compliance) can operate as an exemption or mitigation. That is why the defence must address the position of the individual and of the entity at the same time.

Do you handle cases outside Alicante?

Yes. We operate from Madrid and Alicante, and we assist anywhere in Spain, including urgent assistance to detainees and proceedings with an international dimension.

What is the LIWARD methodology?

It is our own methodology —Legal Intelligence Warfare for Defense— which integrates legal intelligence, financial-accounting analysis and forensic digital evidence into a single procedural strategy. It allows us to anticipate the weaknesses of the prosecution and to build the defence on technical evidence, not only on legal argument.

Can criminal compliance exempt my company from liability?

Yes: a real and operational compliance programme (not a paper one) can exempt from or mitigate the criminal liability of the legal entity. We design and implement risk maps and whistleblowing channels with procedural validity.

What is the difference between misappropriation and disloyal administration?

Both punish the mismanagement of another’s assets: misappropriation means making one’s own what was received; disloyal administration, damaging the administered assets by exceeding one’s powers. The correct classification changes sentences and strategy.

What is concealment of assets or punishable insolvency?

Hiding or stripping assets so as not to pay creditors when debts already exist. Legitimate civil transactions are frequently reported as concealment: the boundary lies in the intention and the timing.

What is documentary forgery?

Altering, simulating or using false documents (contracts, invoices, certificates). In commercial documents, committed by private individuals, it carries prison; it frequently appears in association with fraud and corporate offences.

Can I regularise my position with the tax authorities before I am reported?

Yes, and it is decisive: complete and truthful regularisation before notification of the inspection exempts entirely from criminal liability (absolutory excuse). Once notified, the window closes: timing is everything.

The tax inspection says it will refer the case to the Public Prosecutor. What does that mean?

That the administrative file becomes criminal proceedings for a tax offence. From that notice onwards, everything submitted or stated must pass through a criminal defence strategy, not only a tax one.

Can insolvency proceedings end in a criminal case?

Yes: where insolvency is found to have been caused or aggravated, together with irregular accounting or concealment of assets (punishable insolvency). The correct preparation of the insolvency filing is the director’s best criminal prevention.

What is a “money mule”? I have been used to move money.

Someone who lends their account to receive and forward funds of criminal origin, often recruited through fake jobs. Even without knowing the origin, they can be charged with negligent money laundering: the defence focuses on establishing the absence of knowledge. We explain it in this article.

Can my tax adviser be criminally liable? And I, for what he did?

The tax offence is committed by the taxpayer, but the adviser can be liable as a necessary co-operator. And delegating to the adviser does not exempt you: “wilful blindness” (not wanting to know, the doctrine of the Messi case, STS 374/2017) offers no protection.

When is the tax offence aggravated?

With a quota above 600,000 euros, a criminal organisation or the use of front men and tax havens (Article 305 bis): 2 to 6 years’ imprisonment and a 10-year limitation period. The basic or aggravated classification changes the case completely.

Can the tax authorities keep collecting from me while criminal proceedings are pending?

Yes: the assessment and collection of the debt are not stayed by the criminal case (separate assessment). That is why the criminal and the tax defence must be coordinated.

When does the tax offence become time-barred?

After 5 years (10 for the aggravated form), compared with 4 for the administrative infringement: the window between the 4th and the 5th year is critical and generates much litigation. The computation and its interruptions are always reviewed.

Can I be accused of tax fraud and money laundering at the same time?

It is frequent: the defrauded quota can be regarded as laundered property (self-laundering). The defence against that double charge requires delimiting the facts precisely to avoid punishing the same thing twice.

Is “not having realised” enough to escape the tax offence?

Not always: the courts apply conditional intent and wilful blindness — whoever arranges their affairs so as not to know is liable as if they knew. The real defence lies in proving invincible error or the absence of effective control.

Legal framework

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Société de Conseil Juridique et Expert es un despacho de abogados con sedes en Madrid, Alicante, Londres y París, especializado en defensa y acusación penal, delitos económicos y corporativos y derecho tecnológico. Trabajamos con orientación estratégica en procedimientos penales complejos, propiedad intelectual y análisis forense avanzado, y prestamos consultoría jurídica, compliance y escudos de protección a particulares y empresas. Atendemos desde Alicante y Madrid, con consulta online en toda España y asistencia al detenido 24 horas. Resuelva sus dudas en las preguntas frecuentes o solicite una primera consulta.

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