Project Trident

Project Trident is a CRA-wide enforcement project that helps protect the tax-base by prosecuting key players in fraudulent tax schemes and reassessing related tax returns. Project Trident targets three types of fraud: tax preparer fraud, charity related fraud, and identity theft.

Snapshot of Project Trident

Project Trident is investigated under the Criminal Investigations Program. For more information on investigations, visit The CRA's criminal investigations process.

The three faces of Project Trident

Tax preparer fraud

Tax preparer fraud can be perpetrated in a variety of ways. For example, unscrupulous tax preparers may increase the amount of a refund after the taxpayer has signed their return. The tax preparer then submits the altered return to the CRA and the increased refund is sent directly to them, without the taxpayer’s knowledge. Tax preparer fraud can also be carried out by using one or both of the other types of illegal activity being investigated under Project Trident; identify theft and charities fraud.

Visit Scams and fraud – CRA for information on how to protect yourself against scams and schemes.

Charities related fraud

Charities related fraud can occur in a variety of ways. For example, a charity can be set up to sell inflated tax receipts, but perform little to no charitable work. Charities fraud can also be performed with the help of unscrupulous tax preparers. This happens when registered charities sell false donation receipts to tax preparers for a commission. Tax preparers in turn, sell these false donation receipts to taxpayers.

For more information on charities fraud and false donation receipts, visit How can I donate wisely and avoid fraud?

Identity theft

Identity theft is the unauthorized collection and use of your personal information, usually for criminal purposes such as fraud, theft, and forgery.

The CRA has been able to identify files where an identity thief has attempted to use fraudulently obtained personal information in order to file false returns and apply for fraudulent refunds. In some cases, the identity theft is committed by unscrupulous tax preparers who received the personal information from legitimate clients.

To find out more about identity theft and how to protect yourself, visit Security of Taxpayer Information.

Project Trident to date

Project Trident to date table
Description # of convictions Fines Mandatory Jail time (in months)
ID theft by a tax return preparer 11 $875,162 97
ID theft (other) 8 $558,261 171
Tax preparer 3 $102,865 0
Charities fraud by a tax return preparer 12 $2,104,219 173
Charities frauds (other) 16 $964,473 239
Total 50 $4,604,980 680

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