Jail and fine of over $1 million for tax evasion

Ottawa, Ontario, August 8, 2013… The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced today that on August 6, 2013, Thi Phuong Mai Le of Ottawa, was fined $1,086,845 and sentenced to one year in jail for tax evasion in the Superior Court of Justice in Ottawa. Le pleaded guilty to tax evasion and other related charges on January 29, 2007. The fine represents 150% of the total federal income taxes evaded.

The preceding information was obtained from the court records.

When taxpayers are convicted of income tax and GST evasion, they still must 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 evaded and impose a jail term of up to five years.

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 initiated by the CRA against them. These taxpayers 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 Web site at www.cra.gc.ca/voluntarydisclosures.

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

Canada Revenue Agency

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