Fake Wife Costs Man $20,000 For Tax Evasion

A fictitious wife has cost a Victoria man almost $20,000 in fines.

Gregory Savage was just out of school, with the usual debt load, when it came time to do his taxes in 1993.

A relative suggested he invent a wife to claim a marital tax exemption.

Savage took the advice, then found himself trapped in the lie.

To change his marital status on his income tax form, he needed to provide proof of divorce, said defense lawyer Kenn Kardish.

With no wife to begin with, that was a bit of a problem.

Revenue Canada caught up to him and Savage pleaded guilty to three charges of tax evasion.

Government attorney Heather Laing said Savage falsely claimed $2,826 in marital tax exemption and was “calculated in his deception.”

Provincial court Judge Wayne Smith agreed and on Thursday fined Savage $1,000 - the minimum amount - on each of three charges.