Tax evasion: Montréal psychiatrist fined $88,214

MONTREAL, Oct. 22, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Michelle Dumont, a Montréal psychiatrist, pleaded guilty to tax evasion charges today before the Court of Quebec. She was fined $88,214, which represents 125% of the federal tax she tried to evade. In addition to this fine, Ms. Dumont will have to pay the full amount of tax owing, plus related interest and any penalties that apply.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) investigation revealed that Ms. Dumont voluntarily contravened the Income Tax Act by not declaring $295,291 in professional income on her 2007 and 2008 income tax returns. This unreported income came, for the most part, from presentations on psychiatry given to pharmaceutical companies.

The above information was obtained from the court records.

The vast majority of Canadians pay their taxes in full and on time. To be fair to them, the CRA has put in place strong and effective programs to identify those who try to avoid paying the tax they owe.

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 taken by the CRA against them. These taxpayers may only have to pay the taxes owing, plus interest. For more information on the Voluntary Disclosures Program, visit the CRA Web site at www.cra.gc.ca/voluntarydisclosures.

For more information on convictions, go to the Media page of the CRA Web site at www.cra.gc.ca/convictions.

SOURCE: Canada Revenue Agency

Kareen Dionne
Regional Spokesperson
Telephone: [phone]