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Common Misconceptions
I have never been caught. Why should I worry?
As technology becomes ever more enabling and the sharing of data commonplace, it's almost certain that you will be caught. And contrary to popular belief there is no time limit for the authorities to prosecute you. Avoid criminal and civil penalties by contacting us now.
I'll just pay the taxes I owe when I get caught.
This is the worst misconception of all! If your evasion is discovered, the Canada Revenue Agency's mandate is to prosecute you. In most cases, they will make an example of you in order to show others what happens to tax evaders when they are caught. It is wrong to think you will just pay the taxes owing along with a small fine and resume your normal life.
My accountant/financial planner is aware of my financial affairs and informs me everything is alright.
Wrong! By law, your accountant/financial planner is required to report you to the tax authorities or cease acting on your behalf. Failure to do so will lead to them being charged a penalty. Alternatively, your accountant can be criminally charged for counselling you to commit tax evasion. The Canada Revenue Agency has the power to force your accountant/financial planner to reveal your identity and relate financial details should he/she try to apply for a tax amnesty. As Tax Lawyers, the government cannot force us to reveal anything we are told by you. We have the legal priviledge of lawyer client confidentiality.
My accountant/financial planner says to just file the delinquent returns.
If you have not declared your full taxable income for more than one year and owe taxes you have commited a crime. By filing before allowing us to negotiate a tax amnesty for you, criminal charges could still be laid. If this happens you will bear the consequences of your accountants negligence.
Some accountants try to use a lawyer as their rubber stamp.
They lead their clients into believing this will give them confidentiality. Wrong! In this case there will be no lawyer client confidentiality and the accountant can be forced by the CRA to testify agains you, the client.