OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - April 20, 2015) - The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced today that for the period December 1, 2014 to April 20, 2015, a total of 10 Ontario residents were convicted and sentenced for failing to file corporate, personal and/or GST/HST returns. The courts levied a total of $97,000 in fines and ordered that all returns be filed. In particular, the following individuals pleaded guilty and were sentenced for failure to file tax returns:
| Name of Taxpayer | Total Fine |
| Clay Canada of Mississauga | $1,000 |
| Donald MacMillan of Alexandria | $2,000 |
| Jacqueline Tobin of Inkerman | $3,000 |
| John Baerg of Brampton | $20,000 |
| John Mesquita of Ottawa | $2,000 |
| Kent Scott of Prescott | $10,000 |
| Laura-Lee Watling-Scott of Prescott | $3,000 |
| Michael Moldenhauer of Mississauga | $49,000 |
| Scott Whitman of London | $3,000 |
| Sutharsan Ambalavanar of Ajax | $4,000 |
The preceding information was obtained from the court records.
"Canadian taxpayers must have confidence in the fairness of the tax system," said Vince Pranjivan, Assistant Commissioner of the Ontario Region. "To maintain that confidence, the Canada Revenue Agency is determined to hold those who fail to file their returns accountable for their actions."
When individuals or corporations are convicted of failing to file tax returns, in addition to any fines imposed by the courts, they are still obligated to file the tax return and pay the full amount of taxes owing, plus interest, as well as any civil penalties that may be assessed by the CRA.
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 (VDP). 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 VDP can be found on the CRA's website at www.cra.gc.ca/voluntarydisclosures.
Further information on convictions can be found in the Media Room on the CRA website at www.cra.gc.ca/convictions.
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