The most recent list of California’s top 500 tax delinquents included some well-known celebrities. Some of these celebrities have had tax problems in the past, some of them are new to the list. The following five celebrities have all found their names on the latest list for 2018.
Chris Tucker
There was a time when Chris Tucker was the highest paid actor in Hollywood. He is well known for his roles in Friday as well as the Rush Hour film series. In addition to acting, in the 1990s he frequently performed at Def Comedy Jam as a stand-up comedian. In 2014, Chris Tucker had a $2.5 million lien against him in Georgia which he blamed on “poor accounting and business management”. He settled that tax debt, but is now listed on the latest list of California’s top 500 tax delinquents. It is reported that he now owes the state of California more than $1.2 million in unpaid taxes.
Tori Spelling
Tori Spelling is an actress, reality TV personality, author, wife, and mother of 5 children. In her first major TV role, she played Donna Martin in the American teen drama, Beverly Hills, 90210. In 2009 she released her autobiography, Stori Telling, which made the New York Times Best Seller List. Tori Spelling, along with her husband, Dean McDermott, have had a history of financial problems in the past several years. They currently owe the state of California $282,655 in unpaid personal tax.
Xzibit
Born Alvin Nathaniel Joiner, he is most widely known by his stage name of Xzibit. Xzibit is a television host, actor, and rapper. He raps almost entirely about his own personal experiences, drawing on many tragic events in his life. He got his start working with rappers like Dr. Dre, Eminem, and Snoop Dog. As an actor, he is well known for his role in Empire, an American drama series. Xzibit made the most recent list of top 500 tax delinquents in the state of California. It is reported that he has unpaid taxes amounting to $231,579.
Nick Cassavetes
The American actor and director, Nick Cassavetes, got his start as an actor when as a child he appeared in the films Husbands, and A Woman Under the Influence; both of these films were directed by his father, John Cassavetes. He eventually went on to appear in a number of other films, including Backstreet Dreams, The Astronaut’s Wife, Face/Off, and The Wraith. He’s also directed many films, including The Notebook, She’s So Lovely, Unhook the Stars, and My Sister’s Keeper, among others. Nick Cassavetes made the 2018 list of Top 500 tax delinquents, owing California $252.950 in back taxes.
Macy Gray
Macy Gray, born Natalie Renee McIntyre, is a singer-songwriter, actress, musician, and record producer. She has been nominated for five Grammy Awards, winning one. Gray’s debut album became a multi-platinum album, and she’s probably best known for the single “I Try” which was on this album. In addition to the six studio albums she’s released, Macy Gray has appeared in a variety of films, including Spider-Man, Training Day, Idlewild, and The Paperboy, among others. Gray makes the list of California’s top 500 tax delinquents with a tax debt of $240,991. She claims she’s a spender and says; “As soon as I get money, I can’t wait to spend it.”
This list is not just a case of public shaming. There are serious consequences for taxpayers whose names appear on the list. So what are the consequences of ending up on this Franchise Tax Board Debt List? Once your name is included on the “Top 500” delinquency list, the State of California will follow up with the following sanctions:
On top of the regular liens and levies, and large penalties, California will suspend state issued professional licenses, as well as driver licenses.
Taxpayers facing inclusion on the list can avoid this fate by paying in full, or making payment arrangement to repay the debt.