Lauryn Hill Has Another $440,000 Tax Bill
Just when we thought Lauryn Hill had a $1.8 million problem in the form of a tax bill from the federal government, things got worse for her. According to the state of New Jersey, the singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer and actress owes the state over $440,000 in back taxes.
A New Jersey court entered a civil judgement against the Fugees band singer on July 14th. According to court records, the mother of six failed to pay the state of New Jersey $446,386 in state taxes.
A week prior to being charged with failing to pay her state taxes, Hill was charged with failure to file federal taxes in 2005, 2006, and 2007 which is a federal crime. The singer plead ‘guilty’ to the charges and may spend up to three years in prison.
Fortunately for Hill, her state tax bill has not resulted in criminal charges yet.
In November, the singer will learn her fate in the federal case when she will be going in for her sentencing hearing.
Since the early 2000s, Lauryn Hill has seemed to keep a very low profile and at some points was reported to be “on hiatus”. The singer and songwriter has made a few appearances which received mixed reviews and some of her concerts were cancelled, much to her fans’ disappointment.
In July 2012, Hill performed with The Roots in Philadelphia, PA.
I’m not suggesting that anyone who enjoys the benefits of living in America via an infrastructure system of clean water coming from your tap, highways you can drive down without landmines and a sewage system that works should be allowed to not pay taxes in this country. But, in 2008 a Swiss or was it German whistle blower came forward with a list of American millionaires and billionaires who kept secret bank accounts in overseas accounts so they wouldn’t have to pay taxed on the money. In some cases these men had their money hidden there for decades. What did our government who loves to lock up Black celebrities for not paying taxes do? They gave these men until 2009 to file their back taxes and charged them a 25% penality on the year they made the most money (singular) not collectively. No one was charged or prosecuted. Moral of the story regardless of whether you can pay or not. One rule for Black people, different rules for everyone else.
It isnt illegal to keep money overseas if you do it right. Perhaps Black people should just handle their finances in the way that the Big Bad White Boogie Man does so that they too can escape tax liability. Just a thought…
Shucks! The IRS garnished my salary for a lousy few grand awhile back. I don’t understand how in the h**l these entertainers can make multi-millions, pay no tax on it for years and years, and think they are not going to get in trouble. And as far as overseas tax shelters that the super wealthy use, most of these entertainers are just not that financially sophisticated, otherwise they wouldn’t be having major money prolblems in just a few short years after their last hit record or movie
What is going on with her? Did she have drug problems? I don’t understand who this mess happened.
Wesley,
Thanks for the information you wrote. Our people refuse to understand that they always watch us and the rules are different for us. It is not fair but it is the reality. Same thing for education. Many of our people think that they can just get by, be mediocre… Whites can do that because the system favors them but not us. They can get great jobs even if they are not that well-read but not us. This is the reality!!! We need to wake up and smell the coffee!!!
Patsy