Tax protester Christian Lachapelle sentenced to four years in prison

MONTRÉAL, Nov. 27, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Nicolet resident and tax protester Christian Lachapelle was sentenced to four years in prison today by a Court of Quebec judge in Sherbrooke. He pleaded guilty last October 22nd to tax fraud charges.

A Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) investigation revealed that, between June 2007 and November 2010, Mr. Lachapelle advised and enabled 93 individuals to avoid, or try to avoid, paying nearly $2 million in income tax for the 2003 to 2010 tax years.

The scheme used by Mr. Lachapelle consisted of helping or advising individuals to file income tax returns or request a reassessment using the distinction between a "natural" person and a "legal" person. According to this false argument made by tax protesters, there are two distinct persons for tax purposes. Canadian courts have repeatedly and consistently rejected such arguments.

This is not the first time that Mr. Lachapelle has had issues with the CRA and the law. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail in 2012 for failing to file his income tax returns despite a court order, as well as fines of $7,000 in 2005 and $14,000 in 2011 for the same reasons.

All case-specific information above was obtained from the court records.

The Canada Revenue Agency warns the public to beware of people who assert that Canadians do not have to pay tax on the income they earn. Canadian courts have repeatedly and consistently rejected arguments made in these tax protester schemes. For those involved in such schemes, the CRA will reassess income tax and interest, and charge penalties. More information on tax protester schemes is available at www.cra.gc.ca/alert.

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.

Additional information on convictions can be found on the Media page of the CRA website at www.cra.gc.ca/convictions.

SOURCE Agence du revenu du Canada

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