News release Falsified expenses net North Vancouver contractor criminal conviction for tax evasion
Vancouver, British Columbia, June 18, 2009 ... North Vancouver resident, Donald Stewart Dewar, was sentenced today after pleading guilty in Robson Square Provincial Court to one count of tax evasion. He was fined $20,306, which represents 75% of the federal tax evaded. In addition to the fine, Dewar was placed on probation for one year and ordered to complete 25 hours of community service.

A Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) investigation determined that Dewar was falsifying his expenses from 2000 to 2007 by claiming three of his children as subcontractors. He claimed that his children, as young as two and four, were performing subcontract work for his construction framing business, Pacific Framing.

When individuals are convicted of tax evasion or GST fraud they must still repay the full amount of taxes owing, any amounts fraudulently obtained, plus interest and any civil penalties that may be assessed by the CRA. If convicted, the court may fine up to 200% of the federal tax evaded or false refunds claimed and sentence them to a two-year jail term.

"Canadian taxpayers must have confidence in the fairness of the tax system," said the Assistant Director of Enforcement for the Vancouver Tax Services Office, Jim Talbot. "To maintain that confidence, the Canada Revenue Agency is determined to hold tax evaders accountable for their actions."

Individuals who have not filed returns for previous years, or who have not reported all of their income, can still voluntarily correct their tax affairs. They will not be penalized or prosecuted if they make a full disclosure before the Agency starts any action or investigation against them. These individuals may only have to pay the taxes owing, plus interest. More information on the Voluntary Disclosures Program can be found on the CRA's website at

http://www.cra.gc.ca/voluntarydisclosures

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