The clues below should suggest a certain crime. Can you determine what it is?

FA _ _ _
HA _ _ _
LA _ _ _
PA _ _ _

Answer:

Tax evasion

The letters IRS are dropped from each clue:

FAIRS
HAIRS
LAIRS
PAIRS

Credit: Idea - NY Times Crossword
April 11, 1999
Matt Gaffney
SPRING DREAM