Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada

International Tax Evasion: CRA Conducts 15 Searches in Ontario and Quebec

canadaThe Canada Revenue Agency , CRA announced that it executed 15 simultaneous search warrants on June 12, 2019, in Ottawa, the Greater Toronto Area, London, and Windsor, Ontario, and in Gatineau, Laval, and Montréal, Quebec. These searches were conducted in order to collect more information in connection to an investigation, representing approximately $8.3 million in tax evaded.

Approximately 128 members of the CRA, assisted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, took part in the operation to search each of the locations in Canada for evidence corresponding to the commission of offences against the Income Tax Act and the Criminal Code.

The CRA would like to acknowledge the significant contribution of the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada to this criminal investigation.

Under the income tax and excise tax laws, persons convicted of tax evasion can face fines ranging from 50% to 200% of the evaded taxes and up to five years imprisonment. If convicted of fraud under Section 380 of the Criminal Code, an individual can face up to 14 years in jail.

The CRA has set up a free subscription service to help Canadians stay current on the CRA’s enforcement actions.