The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced Dec. 7 that tax fraud charges were laid against four individuals belonging to a tax protester group.

“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,” stated the CRA.

Beware of tax protester schemes

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.

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 per cent and 200 per cent of the tax evaded and a jail term of up to five years,” says the CRA.

More information on tax protester schemes is available on the CRA website.