Tax cheating is a crime

Released on the Canada Revenue Agency web site, Gordon O'Connor, Minister of National Revenue, and the CRA remind Canadians that not complying with the tax laws can result in serious consequences.

“Not paying your taxes is against the law,” said Minister O'Connor. “The Canada Revenue Agency works hard to identify and correct non-compliance. This keeps the system fair for the honest Canadians who comply with the tax laws.”

2006-2007, Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) criminal investigations led to convictions in 245 cases of tax evasion, or 98% of the files prosecuted. Courts imposed fines totalling $13.4 million and sentenced 26 offenders to more than 37 years in prison. Sentences for those who were ordered to serve jail time for tax-related offences ranged from 1 month to 3 years.

Convictions for tax evasion, including not filing tax returns and making false declarations, can result in court imposed fines of up to twice the taxes evaded, plus jail time. In addition, taxpayers still have to pay the taxes owed and all other civil penalties and interest imposed by the CRA.

For more information on this or other CRA news releases, see:
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/newsroom/releases/2008/jan/nr080123-e.html