Lauryn Hill's Is Having Tax Issues

Lauryn Hill, the eight-time Grammy-winning entertainer, pleaded guilty last year to charges of tax evasion for not paying federal taxes of $1.8 million from earnings from 2005 to 2007. Hill was ordered to pay restitution by the time of her first court appearance on Monday, April 22. During her court appearance it was said Hill had only paid $50,000 out of a total of $554,000.

The total Hill owes is still in dispute. Nathan Hochman, Hill's attorney contends it is slightly less than $1 million, including penalties and interest. The U.S. attorney's office estimates the total is more than $1 million. If the total owned is $1 million or more Hill could be sentenced to 30 to 36 months in prison.

The judge on the case, U.S. Magistrate Judge Madeline Cox Arleo scolded Hill saying, "This is not someone who stands before the court penniless.""This is a criminal matter. Actions speak louder than words, and there has been no effort here to pay these taxes." Judge Arleo postponed the sentencing to May 6, allowing Hill more time to resolve the matter. Hill and her attorney were then able to sign a loan against two properties that would allow her to pay the remainder of the restitution fee before her the next court date.

It is rumored that the former Fuguee has signed a $1 million dollar record deal with Sony Music. She will receive $1 million for recording five new songs, plus additional money for completion of an album.  Hill's debut album "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" received rave review from music critics and earned her five grammy awards. The album has appeared on many best-sellers list, selling 19 million copies worldwide. Despite her music success, Hill has not released a new album since her 2002 "MTV Unplugged No. 2.0" live album. Instead, the 37-year-old mother of six, became withdrawn and decided to end her music career and focus on her family.

At the time of her arrest in June, Hill wrote released a statement via the internet expressing her many dislikes, "climate of hostility, false entitlement, manipulation, racial prejudice, sexism and
" to name a few. She also offers a issue to why she hasn't paid taxes. "When I was working consistently without being affected by the interferences mentioned above, I filed and paid my taxes.""This only stopped when it was necessary to withdraw from society, in order to guarantee the safety and well-being of myself and my family,"