Thornton man fined $4,000 for failing to file tax returns

Barrie, Ontario, September 1, 2011…The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced today that Donald Riddell of Thornton pleaded guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice in Barrie, to four counts of failing to file personal tax returns for the 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 taxation years. He was fined $1,000 for each count, for a total of $4,000. The court fines are in addition to any taxes and interest owed, as well as any civil penalties that may be assessed. Mr. Riddell was given six months to pay the fine.

The CRA made several requests for the missing returns before serving Mr. Riddell with notices demanding that the returns be filed. Failure to comply with these notices resulted in charges being laid. All outstanding income tax returns have now been filed.

The preceding information was obtained from the court records.

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 valid disclosure before they become aware of any compliance action being initiated by the Canada Revenue Agency (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.

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

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