Summary:
Although tax evasion sounds like a criminal activity that only shady people commit, you might be surprised to hear that a number of famous people have been found guilty of committing tax fraud/tax evasion.
Main Article:
Although tax evasion sounds like a criminal activity that only shady people commit, you might be surprised to hear that a number of famous people have been found guilty of committing tax fraud/tax evasion.
Here’s a short list of some of the high profile celebrities that have committed tax fraud:
1. Willie Nelson
In 1990, the federal government seized most of Nelson’s assets and forced him to pay over $16 million in back taxes and fines for committing tax fraud. He was also found guilty of being involved in a fake tax shelter.
2. Marc Anthony
In 2007, Anthony was served a bill from the IRS demanding $2.5 in back taxes. In 2010, he was served an additional two bills from the IRS equaling over $3 million in unpaid taxes on real estate that he owned. Anthony blamed his manager for both issues, although the IRS didn’t care.
3. Martha Stewart
Although Martha Stewart is perceived to be a fairly nice and welcoming person, she is also a convicted tax evader and she committed insider trading. Shortly before she was sent to jail for insider trading, she was legally obligated to pay $220,000 in back taxes and penalties to New York state.
4. Wesley Snipes
Wesley Snipes was found guilty of being a tax evader of the highest order. Snipes used a number of illegal tactics to hide his income, and he was found guilty on three counts of failing to file a federal income tax return for three years. He ended up owing the IRS $17 million in back taxes, penalties, and interest. Snipes was ultimately sentenced to serve three years in prison.
5. Nicolas Cage
In 2009, the IRS sent Cage a bill for $6 million. Cage would claim that a former manager of his was to blame for the unpaid tax bill he owed (he would even claim that his manager made poor investments on his behalf in risky real estate dealings). Cage would ultimately pay his tax bill – plus fines and penalties and has since fired that manager.
Whether you owe money to the IRS or you have a State tax debt, our staff of Enrolled Agents and Tax Attorneys can help. We have over 50 years of experience in negotiating with the IRS in all 50 States.