Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, June 24, 2016… The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced today that James (Jim) Barry Ingram of Windsor Junction, Nova Scotia, operating as J Ingram Construction, was fined a total of $65,679 in Dartmouth Provincial Court on June 23, 2016 after being found guilty of tax evasion on May 13, 2016.

Mr. Ingram was found guilty of five counts of tax evasion under the Income Tax Act and was fined $27,854. He was also found guilty of 19 counts of tax evasion under the Excise Tax Act, and was fined $37,825.

A CRA investigation revealed that Mr. Ingram did not report income earned while providing services related to residential construction, residential renovations and snow removal. In total, Mr. Ingram did not report $234,318 of income on his 2002 to 2006 personal income tax returns, and evaded $27,854 in federal income tax by underreporting income, altering the business’ books, and overstating expenses. Mr. Ingram also evaded $37,825 in HST by understating the amount collected.

The preceding information was obtained from the court records.

The CRA takes tax evasion very seriously. When an individual or business does not fully comply with tax legislation, an unfair burden is placed on law-abiding taxpayers and businesses and the integrity of Canada's tax base is jeopardized.

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 http://www.cra.gc.ca/voluntarydisclosures.

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

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For Broadcast Use:

A Nova Scotia man has been fined $65,679 for tax evasion. James Barry Ingram of Windsor Junction, operating as J Ingram Construction, was found guilty of five counts of tax evasion under the Income Tax Act and 19 counts of tax evasion under the Excise Tax Act. A CRA investigation revealed that Mr. Ingram did not report $234,318 of income on his 2002 to 2006 personal income tax returns, evading $27,854 in federal income tax. Mr. Ingram also evaded $37,825 in HST. The CRA is reminding people that if they’ve ever made a mistake or omission on their income taxes, they may be able to make things right through the Agency’s Voluntary Disclosures Program (VDP).

For media information:

Mayya Assouad
Communications, Atlantic Region
902-426-9889