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Hill: I Dodged Taxes While Guarding My Family

Long Tumblr post explains singer's withdrawal from pop culture

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 9, 2012 4:39 PM CDT

(Newser) – Lauryn Hill admits she paid no taxes for a few years, but says she was busy protecting herself and her family from popular culture, the New York Post reports. In a long Tumblr post, the singer said yesterday that she withdrew from society and cast aside pop culture's "climate of hostility, false entitlement, manipulation, racial prejudice, sexism and ageism." Meanwhile, she paid no taxes on more than $1.5 million grossed between 2005 and 2007.

"My intention has always been to get this situation rectified," wrote Hill, who says authorities "still chose to pursue action against me" even after she explained herself. The IRS charged her this week with three counts of failing to file tax returns. As for her withdrawal, she insists she "did not deliberately abandon my fans, nor did I deliberately abandon any responsibilities, but I did however put my safety, health and freedom and the freedom, safety and health of my family first over all other material concerns!"

Singer Lauryn Hill performs at LA Rising at the LA Memorial Coliseum on July 30, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.
Singer Lauryn Hill performs at LA Rising at the LA Memorial Coliseum on July 30, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.   (Getty Images)
Lauryn Hill as she performs at the 100th anniversary celebration for the luxury brand Montblanc, in New York, 2006.
Lauryn Hill as she performs at the 100th anniversary celebration for the luxury brand Montblanc, in New York, 2006.   (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 21 comments
Tology
Jun 10, 2012 11:36 AM CDT
If she is so against pop culture and all that fame brings, maybe the IRS should just take all her money and make her happy.
Nwambe
Jun 10, 2012 10:22 AM CDT
So that explains her drug-addled performances? She was really out of it more than a few times on stage, according to the reviews. 
793tango
Jun 10, 2012 10:19 AM CDT
You can withdraw from 'pop culture' and still pay your taxes. That's the stupidest excuse I ever heard.
 

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