Guelph Man Fined for Failing to File Tax Returns

GUELPH, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Oct. 23, 2013) - The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced today that on October 22, 2013, Messias Teves, of Guelph, pleaded guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice in Guelph to a total of three counts of failing to file tax returns. He was fined $1,000 per count, for a total of $3,000. All outstanding returns have been filed.

Mr. Teves failed to file his 2009 to 2011 personal income tax returns. His income was earned in the construction industry. The CRA made several requests for the missing returns before serving Mr. Teves with notices demanding that the returns be filed. Failure to comply with these notices resulted in charges being laid.

The preceding information was obtained from the court records.

In addition to the fines imposed by the courts, individuals or corporations convicted of failing to file tax returns are still obligated to file the tax returns and pay the full amount of taxes owing, plus interest, as well as any civil penalties that may be assessed by the CRA.

Taxpayers 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 may 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 taxpayers 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 Web site at www.cra.gc.ca/voluntarydisclosures.

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