Majority of Canadians Honest with the Tax Man

But some are unlikely to turn in tax cheats

An H&R Block Canada survey shows that 72 percent of Canadians would notify the Canada Revenue Agency if they were overpaid on their tax refunds. (Rudyanto Wijaya/Photos.com)

A new survey shows that a majority of Canadians say they are honest when it comes to their taxes. 

The H&R Block Canada survey conducted by Leger shows that close to three quarters of Canadians (72 percent) claim they would notify the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) if the agency overpaid them on their tax refunds. 

On the other hand, fewer Canadians would be willing to report someone they knew who was cheating on their taxes to the CRA. The survey found 53 percent of Canadians would not report tax evasion, while 27 percent said they would. 

According to the survey, men, as well as men and women aged 55 or older, are more likely to not report on someone cheating on their taxes, with 60 percent of each group saying they would turn a blind eye to tax evasion. 

The survey also showed that one in five Canadians know someone who is cheating on their taxes, with men about twice more likely to know a tax cheat compared to women (26 percent vs. 15 percent.)

Cheating on taxes was not necessarily seen as an indicator of cheating in other aspects of life, with the exception of reporting expenses; 59 percent of respondents think those who cheat on their taxes would likely cheat on their expense reports as well.

The survey was conducted online with 1,501 participants 18 years of age or older.