A 64-year-old Grande Prairie "tax protestor" has been fined $40,208 and will go to jail for 15 months for tax evasion, says Canada Revenue Agency.

Edwin McCallum Siggelkow's fine represents 150% of the tax evaded, stresses the CRA.

Siggelkow was found guilty by a jury Sept. 18. He evaded federal income taxes of $13,826 for the 2005 to 2007 tax years. In addition, Siggelkow failed to collect and remit goods and services tax (GST) of $12,978 for the 2005 to 2007 tax years. He was also found guilty of counselling others to commit fraud contrary to the Criminal Code.

Evidence provided to the court showed that Siggelkow -- an "educator" with the Paradigm Education Group operated by Russell Porisky -- adopted Paradigm's beliefs to allege that, as a "natural person," he was not subject to the Income Tax Act.

Court heard that Siggelkow knowingly evaded taxes and was also aiding, abetting and counselling others to commit tax evasion.

Porisky was convicted in the Supreme Court of British Columbia on Jan. 18, 2013, of tax evasion and counselling others to commit tax evasion.

Canada Revenue Agency warns all Canadians to beware of individuals that claim Canadians do not have to pay tax on the income they earn. These individuals, also known as tax protesters, not only fail to report their own earnings, but they also conspire, counsel, and promote these tax schemes. Canadian courts have repeatedly and consistently rejected all arguments made in these tax protester schemes.

For those involved in tax protester schemes, the CRA will reassess income tax and interest, and charge penalties. In some cases, these individuals will be prosecuted for tax evasion. If convicted, they could face significant fines and possibly jail time.

When individuals are convicted of income tax and GST evasion, they must still repay the full amount of taxes owing, plus interest and any civil penalties that may be assessed by the CRA. In addition, the court may fine them up to 200% of the taxes evaded and impose a jail term of up to five years.