This is part of the AJC Radio & TV Talk blog
The Daily Mail reports that actress and former "Real Housewives of Atlanta" cast member NeNe Leakes owes $95,232.92 in Georgia state taxes from 2014.
This gives both the federal and state authorities the opportunity to seize her assets. As an independent contractor, she is responsible for paying her own taxes. Most wage earners have taxes taken out by employers before they even see a penny, making it more difficult to shirk this responsibility. The IRS and state tax offices typically send numerous warning notices before they file a lien so this should not come as a surprise.
Some folks have even landed in prison for not paying taxes. Actor Wesley Snipes spent three years in prison for tax evasion. First season "Survivor" winner Richard Hatch landed in the clink for more than four years for the same issue.
Leakes clearly generated well into the seven figures in 2014 based on those tax totals.
In 2014, Leakes finished seventh on ABC's "Dancing With the Stars." (That show will pay out more the longer you stay on.) She also made recurring appearances on Fox's "Glee" and appeared full time in seasons six and seven of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta." (As a marquee player on that show, she certainly earned a big contract.) She took part in Broadway's "Cinderella." She also introduced her clothing line on HSN that summer.
Leakes has not yet commented on social media or in the media about this situation.
Other local celebrities who have had tax liens placed on them over the past year include Kim Fields ("The Facts of Life," "Real Housewives of Atlanta,"), Mo'Nique ("The Mo'Nique Show," "Precious") and fellow "Real Housewives of Atlanta" vet Sheree Whitfield.
By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, AJC Radio & TV Talk Blog, originally filed Wednesday, October 5, 2016
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