It always amazes me to hear about celebrities who try to skirt around the law. You see it all the time with drugs and alcohol charges; the other area where celebrities seem to think they are above the rules is with filing taxes.
Okay, I get it: nobody wants to file and pay taxes. It’s a pain, it’s confusing at times, and if you have to pay in, it is downright depressing. And the higher your income is, the higher the tax bracket. But as much as we all whine and moan over it, at the end of the day, most of us suck it up and file them on time.
This rant is brought to you by a tax attorney site I was reading the other day, that talked about celebrities who’ve failed to file taxes and gotten caught, or still owe some serious funds. I was completely shocked at the two singers that are in trouble this year!
One of the artists is Lauren Hill, who apparently didn’t file her taxes for THREE years (2005-2007) because she claimed she was “living underground”.
Um. Hello? I don’t know why she figured that excuse would work. Being underground doesn’t make taxes go away – there’s even a death tax . . . and those people are underground permanently.
The kicker is, not only is she going to face some huge fines, each charge could land her a 1-year prison sentence!
The other celebrity in trouble is Lionel Richie, who apparently is trying to pay for a 2011 tax liability exceeding $1 million.
How is he planning on coming up with these funds?
A country album. I wish I was kidding.
Amazingly enough, the plan might work, since the album debuted at number one on Billboard’s country chart.
Now if only everyone else could become a breakout country artist instead of hiring a tax attorney when they got in trouble . . .
Have you heard of any other celebrities in legal trouble for unpaid taxes recently?
The law is the law. You don’t like it, you work to change it. That is what is great about this country – we have the option to lobby our government to change the laws. Until then, follow the law. That should apply across the board.
lol @ the country album and WTF at celebrities in general!!
Sadie recently posted..$100 Amazon Giveaway Ends 7/15
Only a celebrity in her own mind, I have a coworker who will regularly mention that she hasn’t filed taxes for ’10 or ’11 because, well, she’s going to have to pay because she doesn’t have enough withheld because it’s more important to her to be able to buy cigarettes (or whatever other way it is that she wastes her money). The schadenfreude-loving part of me looks forward to this catching up to her.
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Wow, it’s that easy? I wish I could get out of our tax bill every year. It’s insane!
Oh, you forgot Wesley Snipes. I remember hearing that he didn’t pay for some years too. Regardless though if you are rich and famous or not, the tax man is gonna getcha.
Nicoyle recently posted..Pride Day – Oreo Couldn’t Get Love From Everyone
I think you have to take it at a case by case situation. These people need to take Oprah Winfrey’s advise. She advised young stars to know everything about every dollar they take in or issue out. Many of these people have hired people to take care of these issues who are incapable or shady at the job they do, or advise inadequately. Lionel Richie put a plan into action to take care of the debt he owes. I think that is admirable. My mother had a similar situation after my father died, coming into sole ownership of many properties she was unaware how to care for financially when it came to taxes. We had to make arrangements to take care of the tax debt while instituting forward planning to meet the ensuing taxes. If that legislation did not apply across the board, it would hurt us – the common people. Wesley Snipes situation was different in that he left the country to try and avoid his obligation. Case by case.
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Honestly – I think with most of these celebrities – it’s not even really their fault that much. I’m sure they just pass off all of the money stuff to someone else to take care of. If so – it should be that financial person who was screwing around being an idiot who gets in trouble, lol. But – even a celebrity should have a minimum of smarts to make sure to find out if their taxes get done
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Wasn’t the first Survivor winner sent to jail for something to do with taxes?
And I guess the good thing about being broke is never having to worry about paying a million dollars in back taxes?
Life According to Amanda recently posted..1 month down
YES Richard someone from Survivor failed to pay taxes on his winnings! I remember that. Most celebs get away with WAY TO MUCH. It’s disgusting and I am so glad my kids don’t really strive to be like them or want the lifestyle they life.
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Years ago, I remember being somewhat suprised at a large tax bill…. but we had the money to cover it because we made the money that caused it — duh! Never happened again because we then made sure we covered it each following year in extra withholding every paycheck. Not for everyone, but worked for us ~ little by little, instead of lump sum.
I do think celebs are “detached” from those mundane things, hiring others who for one reason or another don’t really take care of it as they should (I am thinking brother in law, cousin, best friend).
And lots do steal their money, and truthfully they haven’t a clue about that either. But… still I don’t think they should get away with it — I pay mine, you (celeb or not) should pay yours!
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I remember having to set up a payment plan with the IRS 2 years in a row when I faced a large tax bill. It happens, but unlike some celebrities, I didn’t run from the problem, I faced it head on and paid them every cent they were owed.
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I haven’t had to pay into taxes but one year (kids help), but it’s apart of being an adult. You should know your probability of having to pay into taxes and prepare for it. If you don’t then that’s extra money. We have a savings..granted it’s a small amount but I am happy to have it when it comes to times like I am facing now!
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