DMX To Reportedly Compensate Tax Evasion Case With $2.3 Million Fine

DMX is not only serving a year in jail for tax evasion, he also has to pay $2.3 million in restitution to the U.S. government.

The 47-year-old, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was sentenced on Wednesday, March 29, in a federal court in Manhattan.

The presiding judge mandated that the "Slippin" rapper has to surrender 10 percent of his gross monthly income to pay for his debt to the United States. The collection will begin two months after his release from Danbury Federal Correctional Facility, TMZ reported.

In addition, DMX also has to undergo substance abuse and mental health programs. The ruling was a response to reports that he failed a drug test while incarcerated in January.

No Special treatment

The sentencing comes months after he pled guilty to tax fraud in December. Prosecutors accused the rapper of hiding his income by insisting that he'd be paid in cash and using bank accounts of friends and family to move his wealth.

He also deliberately asked not to subtract withholding tax from his income from television show Celebrity Couples Therapy.

"Today's sentence shows that star power does not entitle people to a free pass," said U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Bergman in an interview with CNBC. "Together with our partners at the IRS, we will vigorously enforce our tax laws to make sure that people pay their fair share."

DMX initially faced up to 44 years in prison for refusing to pay his taxes. Prosecutors initially recommended that he'd be sentenced to five years behind bars, but the judge gave him the minimum of one year after an oddly musical hearing last week.

Celebs Versus IRS

DMX, of course, is not the only celebrity who has had some trouble with the IRS. Courtney Love Cobain still owes more than half a million dollars over an unpaid 2016 tax bill. The news comes a few months after she shelled out $320,000 to settle over old tax bills from 2012.

The former rock star and actress also had to pay $266,000 to the government in 2016 for unpaid tax bills from 2009 and 2011, revealed People.

Meanwhile, Cardi B demanded that the IRS must show a receipt that specifies where her paid taxes go. In a fiery Instagram post last week, she pointed out that she does not see improvements in her own neighborhood despite the amount dollars she surrenders as taxes to the government.

Tags
DMX, Tax evasion, Cardi B, Courtney Love
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