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Reporting a tip on suspected tax avoidance

Last updated on April 7, 2026

Tax revenues help fund important government programs and services such as healthcare, infrastructure and education.

With your help through tips, people in B.C. can continue to access programs and services and support a fair tax system in the province.

If you know or suspect an individual or business is not complying with B.C. tax laws or has not paid tax they owe, you can submit a tip 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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What is tax avoidance or misuse of provincial tax credits, grants or benefit programs?

Tax avoidance in B.C. can take many forms. Some behaviours may not be unlawful on their own, but they can indicate that sales or taxes are not being properly reported.

Examples of tax avoidance or misuse in B.C. include:

  • Not collecting tax on products or services that are taxable
  • Collecting tax but not reporting or paying it to the provincial government
  • Not reporting all sales or income
  • Importing goods into B.C. but not paying tax on them
  • Not paying or avoiding tax on real estate (such as houses, condos, property taxes) 
  • Not collecting or paying tax on tobacco sales (such as singles or packs of cigarettes, cigars, loose tobacco)
  • Submitting false or altered official documents
  • Applying for the home owner grant if they are not eligible

Examples of indicators of possible tax avoidance behaviour in B.C. include:

  • Not providing receipts or invoices when payment is made
  • Requiring or strongly encouraging cash-only payments
  • Advertising prices that appear to include tax, but no tax is shown or charged
  • Operating a business without visible registration, licences or permits
  • Selling high-value goods or services at prices that appear unusually low
  • Lifestyle or assets that appear inconsistent with reported business activity

B.C. administers most provincial tax programs. Income tax, GST and payroll are the Canada Revenue Agency's responsibility. To report suspected tax or benefit cheating for federal programs, see Reporting suspected tax or benefit cheating in Canada – Overview – Canada.ca.

How to submit a tax tip for B.C. programs

If you know or suspect an individual or business is not complying with B.C. tax laws or has not paid tax that they owe, report them by using the online tax tip form 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. B.C. tax programs include PST, tobacco tax, fuel tax, speculation and vacancy tax, property transfer tax and more.

We appreciate your assistance and take tax tip submissions seriously. 

Do not contact us for updates. We cannot disclose any information to you about the person or business reported, their tax accounts or any actions taken as a result of a tip. If you have previously submitted a tip, do not submit another for the same business or individual unless you're providing new and relevant information.

To ensure we can properly consider your tax tip, include the following information in your submission to the Ministry of Finance:

Details about the subject of your tip

Provide as much information as you can, such as:

  • Full name of the individual or business
  • Full address
  • Descriptions of properties, loans, banking information, personal expenditures
  • Any related companies or shareholders
  • Clear facts about the allegations: amounts, when, where, who, how, what happened

Supporting documents

In addition to providing enough details to identify the person or business, include any documents that can support your tax tip, such as:

  • Invoices
  • Contacts
  • Financial statements

If we receive a tax tip with incomplete information, we will not be able to properly assess the tip.

Examples of submissions

The following examples are considered "complete" and provide enough information for the Ministry to properly evaluate your tax tip.

Example of a complete tax tip submission

I want to report: An individual

Individual's name: John Smith

Individual's address: 123 Anywhere Street, Anywhere, B.C.

To the best of your knowledge, what happened and why did it concern you?: 

My next-door neighbour, John Smith, has been collecting social assistance payments since January 2024. However, he works full-time building and selling premade fence panels in his backyard. I’m losing business to him because I cannot compete when I pay my taxes, charge PST and GST, and pay workers’ compensation. He sold fencing in March 2025 to a house at 129 Anywhere Street for the owners, Walter and Betty Parker, and they said they never had to pay PST or GST. He told me that he pocketed $32,000 tax-free from that work. John’s birthday is November 16. He drives a blue Ford F350, with the licence plate A1A1A, which he bought in July 2024 while on social assistance. He calls his business “John’s Fencing Solutions.” He opened it in April 2023 after he got laid off from Big Company. He often hires another neighbour, Marc Labelle, who lives at 135 Anywhere Street, to do his assembly work. Marc is retired from Big Company.

Why is this a complete submission?

This tip has enough key identifiers (full name, address, spouse’s name, birthday, business name, licence plate number, and former employer) to identify the person who is alleged to be avoiding taxes.

It also gives factual details about the length of time the suspected tax cheating has been going on, the dollars involved, others who may be involved and lifestyle issues (expensive car purchase). Although supporting paperwork and documents would be helpful, in this case there are enough details for the Ministry of Finance to conduct a review to figure out if this person is collecting PST and GST on their sales and reporting their income properly.

Example of an incomplete tax tip submission

I want to report: An individual

Individual's name: Bob Jones

Individual's address: Park Street, City, Province

To the best of your knowledge, what happened and why did it concern you?:

My neighbour is driving a new car. I do not think he makes enough money to pay for it. I think he is doing cash deals. He also goes on trips all the time. He claims he works for a coffee shop, but I’ve seen his garage and it is full of products for sale. People come by often and he is always selling stuff in the driveway. I’m sure that’s how he makes his money. There’s no way he pays all his taxes.

Why is this an incomplete submission?

This tip is missing facts, and it’s based on opinion. Without clear facts related to the suspected tax cheating (where, when, how, how much), the Ministry of Finance will not be able to address the suspected tax avoidance as described in this tip. In addition, a partial street address (a street name without the number) is not always enough to identify a person, business or charity, so the Ministry of Finance’s ability to conduct a review of this person is weak. In this example, supporting documents were not included.

Submit your tax tip

Submit your tax tip

You can also report a tax tip over the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-877-977-0858.

Importance of paying taxes

Paying taxes is essential for maintaining the programs and services people in B.C. rely on. To learn more about how your contributions support society, see the CRA's resource Learn about your taxes – Purpose of taxes – Canada.ca.