CRA investigation leads to jail time, fine for Brampton business owner

A Brampton business operator is facing jail time and a heavy fine for tax evasion.

Hien Van Tran was sentenced to eight months in jail and fined $364,000 after he pleaded guilty during an appearance at the Ontario Court of Justice to one count of goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) evasion under the Excise Tax Act.

In addition to the court imposed fine, Tran will also have to pay the full amount of tax owing, plus related interest and any penalties assessed by the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA).

A CRA investigation revealed that Tran, the sole shareholder of 2346011 Ontario Ltd., operating as VN Live Bait Ontario Ltd, did not remit $726,723 in GST/HST during the period of January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2015.

All case-specific information above was obtained from the court records, according to the CRA.