Grand Valley resident fined $8,000 for not filing tax returns

Orangeville, Ontario, November 20, 2009 ... Gordon Forsyth, of Grand Valley, pleaded guilty in Ontario Court of Justice in Orangeville on September 17, 2009 to eight charges of failing to file tax returns. On November 19, 2009, he was fined $8,000. Forsyth was fined for not filing his 1999 to 2006 personal income tax returns. The court ordered him to file his 2001 to 2006 tax returns, which are still outstanding, with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) by January 31, 2010. The court further ordered Forsyth to pay the fines within 12 months, or he will be required to serve 180 days in jail.

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.

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 (VDP) can be found on the CRA's website at http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/voluntarydisclosures/index.html.