Non-compliance nets Saulnierville man eight months in prison and $9,000 fine

Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, September 15, 2009 ... Desire Saulnier of Saulnierville, Nova Scotia was sentenced on August 27 in Yarmouth Provincial Court to eight months in prison and fined $9,000 after being convicted on January 19, 2009 on charges stemming from prosecutions dating back to 2004.

Mr. Saulnier was convicted on nine charges going as far back as the 2000 tax year. He was found guilty on five charges of failure to provide information for the 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005 tax years; one count of failure to comply with a court order to file his 2004 return; one count of failure to comply with a court order to provide information for his 2004 return; one count of failure to comply with a court order to file his 2006 return; and one count of failure to comply with a court order to provide information for his 2006 return. This is Mr. Saulnier's third prosecution.

In addition to the eight months in jail, the court ordered that Mr. Saulnier pay the fines within one year and comply with all necessary court imposed orders within nine months.

When individuals are convicted of not filing their tax returns, in addition to any fines imposed by the courts, they are still obligated to file the returns and pay the full amount of taxes owing plus interest, as well as any civil penalties that may be assessed by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).