According to the IRS, singer Mary J. Blige hasn’t paid her federal income taxes for 2009 through 2011. That amounts to more than $3.4 million in back taxes it says she owes. The IRS filed a tax lien was filed against Blige back in February of this year.
R&B fans in California may not be aware that the singer was already in financial trouble before the IRS filed its lien. Signature Bank has filed a lawsuit against Blige alleging that she has failed to repay a $2.2 million loan the bank made to her. According to court records, Bank of America alleges she is indebted to them in the amount of $514,000 which represents a $500,000 and interest the bank says she failed to repay.
Her charity, The Mary J. Blige and Steve Stoute Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now, is also being sued for not paying back a loan in the amount of $250,000. To make matters worse, her home state of New Jersey says she owes it nearly $1 million in back taxes. These are only the debts that are a matter of public record — her true financial situation isn’t known.
How the singer intends to resolve her financial issues remains to be seen. However, even if she chooses to file bankruptcy as many people in California with similar financial woes have done, her back taxes would not be eligible for discharge. Therefore, she may still need to negotiate with the IRS and come to a settlement and/or a repayment plan.
Source: MTV News, “IRS Files $3.4 Million Tax Lien on Mary J. Blige,” Maurice Bobb, May 20, 2013
