Enforcement Notification - Charges Laid - Tax protesters: charges laid against four individuals

MONTRÉAL, Dec. 7, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced today that tax fraud charges were laid against four individuals belonging to a group of tax protesters. Montréal residents Pierre Cardin and Sylvain Quirion, Laval resident Jean-Marc Paquin and Contrecoeur resident Guylaine Tremblay, are alleged to have advised and enabled 50 individuals to claim losses totaling $19,057,621, thereby evading or trying to evade more than $1 million in federal income tax.

The members of the group were arrested and then released on a promise to appear and with court imposed conditions.

The activities for which they are accused are alleged to have occurred between May 2010 and May 2011 inclusively, and include allegations that they helped 50 individuals to file tax returns or adjustment requests in order to claim non-deductible expenses, thus attempting to evade a total of $1,080,930 in federal income tax.

All case-specific information was obtained from the court records.

The CRA warns all Canadians to beware of "tax protesters" who try to convince the public that Canadians do not have to pay tax on the income they earn. Canadian courts have rejected the arguments made in support of tax protester schemes. For those involved in tax protester schemes, the CRA will reassess income tax, calculate interest and impose penalties. In addition, upon a conviction for tax evasion, the court may impose a fine between 50% and 200% of the tax evaded and a jail term of up to five years. More information on tax protester schemes is available on the CRA website.

If you have ever made a tax mistake or omission, the CRA is offering you a second chance to make things right through its Voluntary Disclosures Program. If you make a valid disclosure before you become aware that the CRA is taking action against you, you may only have to pay the taxes owing plus interest. More information on the Voluntary Disclosures Program can be found on the CRA website.

The CRA has set up a free subscription service to help Canadians stay current on the CRA's enforcement efforts.

Associated Links

Offshore Tax Informant Program
Informant Leads Program 
Voluntary Disclosures Program

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SOURCE Canada Revenue Agency