Montérégie businessman fined for tax evasion

MONTRÉAL, March 24, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced today that Florent Dulude, owner of Les Jardins St-Michel Enr., of St-Michel, pleaded guilty today to tax evasion charges before a Court of Quebec judge in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu. He was sentenced to a court-imposed fine of $81,847. In addition to this fine, Mr. Dulude will have to pay the full amount of tax owing, plus related interest and any penalties that apply.

An 18-month CRA investigation revealed that, for the 2006 to 2008 tax years, Florent Dulude failed to report a total of $498,504 of his business income. This involved issuing two types of invoices: some made out in the name of Mr. Dulude's company and others made out in his own name. The latter were never included in either Mr. Dulude's business or personal income tax returns.

The preceding information was obtained from the court records.

When individuals are convicted of income tax evasion, they must still repay the full amount of taxes owing, plus interest and any civil penalties that may be assessed by the CRA. In addition, the court may fine them up to 200% of the taxes they tried to evade and impose a jail term of up to five years.

If you have ever made a tax mistake or omission, the CRA is offering you a second chance to make things right through its Voluntary Disclosures Program (VDP). If you make a valid disclosure before you become aware that the CRA is taking action against you, you may only have to pay the taxes owing plus interest. More information on the 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.

SOURCE Agence du revenu du Canada

For media information: Julie Pronovost, Regional Spokesperson, Telephone: [phone]