Brampton Tax Preparer Sentenced to Nine Months Imprisonment

BRAMPTON, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Sept. 2, 2011) - On June 29, 2010, Leslie George Walker, of Brampton, pleaded guilty to one count of fraud over $5,000 in the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton. Today, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced that Walker was sentenced on August 31, 2011 to nine months imprisonment.

Walker owned and operated a tax preparation business in his home under the name Walker's Income Taxes. A CRA investigation, including a search of Walker's residence and place of business, revealed that he prepared 198 false tax returns on behalf of his clients for the 2004, 2005 and 2006 tax years. Walker made fraudulent charitable donation claims on these tax returns totalling $880,760 and provided his clients with fake charitable donation receipts. The false claims resulted in Walker's clients understating their federal taxes payable by $252,248 and receiving increased income tax refunds to which they were not entitled.

Four of the charities whose names appeared on the falsified donation slips have since had their charity status revoked by the CRA: CanAfrica International Foundation, Jesus is the Answer - Care and Prayer Ministry International; PanAfrican Canadian Multicultural Centre; and the Canadian Foundation for Child Development.

All 198 tax returns filed by Walker on behalf of his clients have since been reassessed by the CRA. The unwarranted income tax refunds issued to Walker's clients must be repaid, with penalties and interest.

The information in this news release was obtained from the court records.

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 valid disclosure before they become aware of any compliance action being initiated by the CRA 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 www.cra.gc.ca/voluntarydisclosures.

The CRA reminds Canadians to not be fooled by tax preparers offering larger refunds than other preparers. While most preparers provide excellent service to tax filers, a few unscrupulous return preparers file false and fraudulent tax returns and ultimately defraud their clients. Remember that even if someone else prepares your tax return, you're the one responsible for all the information on the return. If a tax preparer is offering you fraudulent tax preparation services, or if you want to report a tax cheater, you can do so anonymously by calling the CRA at 1-866-809-6841 (toll free).

Further information on convictions can also be found in the Media room on the CRA website at www.cra.gc.ca/convictions.