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Tax evasion brings fine for former Penticton resident

A former Penticton resident has pled guilty to tax evasion and was given an 18-month conditional sentence and fine.

A former Penticton resident has pled guilty to tax evasion and was given an 18-month conditional sentence and fine.

Adrie Monterrosa was sentenced Sept. 23 in Surrey provincial court, where he was ordered to pay a fine of $18,106 and issued a conditional sentence order which includes 12 months of house arrest and 80 hours of community service. According to Canada Revenue Agency, the fine represents 75 per cent of the federal income taxes evaded, and is payable by Sept. 30, 2012.

The CRA investigation concluded that from April to December 2005, Monterrosa, as the internal bookkeeper for Thor Cast 2002 Inc., made 146 Thor Cast cheques payable to himself, either by forging the signature of his employer or by altering legitimate cheques. The CRA said Monterrosa appropriated $102,108 during this period, but only reported his salary. In doing so, he evaded $24,141 in federal income tax.

Dave Morgan, communications manager for CRA, said when individuals are convicted of income tax evasion, they must still repay the full amount taxes owing, plus interest and penalties that may be assessed by the CRA. In addition, the court may fine them, upon summary conviction, up to 200 per cent of the taxes evaded and impose a jail term of up to two years.

Individuals 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 will 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 individuals may only have to pay the taxes owing, plus interest. More information on the Voluntary Disclosures Program can be found on the CRA’s website at www.cra.gc.ca/voluntarydisclosures.