Okanagan tax preparer receives 33 month jail sentence and fine for tax fraud

Kelowna, British Columbia, January 14, 2016... The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced today that Donna Marie Stancer, also known as Marie Stancer, was sentenced on January 14, 2016, in British Columbia Supreme Court in Kelowna. Ms. Stancer was convicted on July 8, 2015, of one count of making false statements under the Income Tax Act and one count of fraud under the Criminal Code, relating to the preparation of fraudulent income tax returns for herself and for clients of DeMara Consulting Inc. She was also convicted of a Criminal Code offence for counseling others to evade income tax. Ms. Stancer was ordered to serve a total of 33 months in jail in addition to a court imposed fine of $62,980, representing 100% of the total federal income tax owing.

A CRA investigation determined that Ms. Stancer and partner Deanna Lynn LaValley, while operating DeMara Consulting Inc., claimed false capital and business losses totaling over $192 million on the returns of 224 clients, resulting in attempted refunds of $9,907,964. Of this amount, only $52,832 was paid out. Ms. Stancer also claimed false losses totaling $1,863,674 on her 2007 and 2010 personal income tax returns, resulting in attempted refunds of $62,980.

Ms. LaValley was sentenced on November 10, 2015, for two counts of making false statements under the Income Tax Act and one count of fraud under the Criminal Code.

The preceding information was obtained from the court records.

Taxpayers who claim false expenses, credits or rebates from the government are subject to serious consequences. They are liable not only for corrections to their tax returns and payment of the full amount of tax owing, but also to penalties and interest. In addition, if convicted of tax evasion, the court may fine them up to 200% of the tax evaded and sentence them for up to a five-year jail term.

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.

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

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Associated Links

• Okanagan tax preparer receives fine and 22 month conditional sentence for tax fraud
• Protect yourself!

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Heidi Hofstad
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(604) 666- 9389

Date modified:

2016-01-15