The majority of Canadians feel they pay too much for the services they receive from the government and they believe that tax cheating is common..According to Blacklock’s Reporter, internal research by the Canada Revenue Agency also revealed very few people believe tax cheats will ever be caught..“Rich people have an easier time tax cheating than middle-class Canadians,” said 63% of respondents questioned by Agency pollsters. The term 'rich' was not defined. .Almost half, 49%, agreed “the Revenue Agency goes after middle-class Canadians but turns a blind eye to rich taxpayers and corporations.”.“Canadians were asked to rate the likelihood tax cheaters would be caught by the Canada Revenue Agency,” said the Agency report Annual Corporate Research: Qualitative Phase. .Only 25% “felt it was very likely the Canada Revenue Agency would catch tax cheaters.”.Canadians older than 50, those with household incomes more than $150,000 and tax filers born in this country were most likely to express “skepticism towards the Agency’s ability to catch those who cheat on their taxes,” said Corporate Research. .Asked if they agreed with the statement, “The Canada Revenue Agency would never find out about income received in cash that is not declared on income tax forms,” 32% agreed..Asked if it is “acceptable for people to pay cash for goods and services in order to avoid paying the GST,” 19% agreed. .Only 36% considered themselves tax cheats for “getting a deal on home or car repairs by paying cash.”.Findings were based on questionnaires with 4,023 taxpayers, small business operators, accountants and tax preparers. The Agency paid $174,047 for the report by Quorus Consulting Group..The majority of individual taxpayers, around 56%, stated they paid too much in taxes. Similarly, the rate was slightly higher at 57% among small business owners..“Canadians were asked to specify whether they feel the amount of money they pay in taxes is representative of the services they received from governments,” wrote researchers. Nationwide, only 35% said they paid “about the right amount.”.This report comes after a 2019 memo The Agency's Strategy for the Underground Economy, which found that tax avoidance was gaining popularity in Canada, posing a significant challenge..“One significant lesson learned is that changing social acceptability of participation in the underground economy is more challenging than initially anticipated,” said Strategy..The Agency had previously suggested sending auditors to schools to educate students about tax compliance before they joined the workforce..“A cultural shift in society is needed to effect change,” said a 2018 Memorandum for the Minister. .It proposed to “start with early education of tax obligations for students.”
