Tax fraud and evasion are serious financial crimes that undermine the integrity of a nation’s tax system. This crime involves the intentional act of falsifying information on tax returns to limit tax liability, or not paying taxes at all. The legal responses to these offenses have evolved over time, with governments worldwide implementing stringent measures to deter individuals and corporations from engaging in such practices.

The legal framework addressing tax fraud and evasion is complex, involving both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties typically involve fines or other monetary sanctions, while criminal penalties can include imprisonment. In most jurisdictions, the severity of punishment depends on the magnitude of fraud committed.

In the United States, for instance, cases of tax evasion are mainly handled by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). For minor offenses like late payment or failure to file a return on time without reasonable cause, there might be a fine imposed but no jail term. However, more severe cases such as intentional underreporting or misrepresentation of income can lead to substantial fines and up to five years imprisonment.

Moreover, some countries have adopted an aggressive approach towards combating offshore tax evasion by introducing laws that require foreign financial institutions to report account information about U.S citizens back to their home country’s government. The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) enacted by the U.S in 2010 is one such law which has been instrumental in curbing offshore tax evasions.

Similarly in Europe too has seen significant strides made towards curtailing this menace through legislation like General Anti-Abuse Rule (GAAR), introduced by many European Union member states. GAAR aims at discouraging taxpayers from taking advantage of loopholes within individual countries’ taxation systems for illicit gains.

Furthermore, international cooperation also plays a pivotal role in tackling cross-border tax evasion and avoidance schemes. Organizations like Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) have initiated global efforts against base erosion profit shifting (BEPS), where multinational corporations shift profits to low-tax jurisdictions to evade taxes.

Despite these measures, tax fraud and evasion remain a significant problem. As such, governments are continuously exploring new strategies to combat this issue. Some of these include the use of advanced technology like machine learning and predictive analytics for detecting fraudulent patterns, as well as promoting greater transparency in international banking systems.

In conclusion, while legal responses have been instrumental in curbing tax fraud and evasion, it is an ongoing battle that requires constant vigilance. Governments must continue to adapt their laws and regulations to keep pace with the evolving tactics used by those seeking to defraud them. At the same time, fostering a culture of compliance among taxpayers through education can also be an effective deterrent against these financial crimes.