According to US Attorney Paul Fishman, “Singer and actress Lauryn N. Hill was charged with willfully failing to file three years of income tax returns with the IRS.” During 2005-2007 (the years she failed to file her tax returns), Ms. Hill’s income totaled roughly $1.8 million. 

Ms. Hill took to Tumblr to express her feelings on the situation - this is an excerpt from her post: 

“For the past several years, I have remained what others would consider underground…

…having made hundreds of millions of dollars for certain institutions, under complex and sometimes severe circumstances, I began to require growth and more equitable treatment, but was met with resistance… 

I kept my life relatively simple, even after huge successes, but it became increasingly obvious that certain indulgences and privileges were expected to come at the expense of my free soul, free mind, and therefore my health and integrity.  So I left a more mainstream and public life, in order to wean both myself, and my family, away from a lifestyle that required distortion and compromise as a means for maintaining it.  

During this period of crisis, much was said about me, both slanted and inaccurate, by those who had become dependent on my creative force, yet unwilling to fully acknowledge the importance of my contribution, nor compensate me equitably for it… 

I conveyed all of this when questioned as to why I did not file taxes during this time period.  Obviously, the danger I faced was not accepted as reasonable grounds for deferring my tax payments, as authorities, who despite being told all of this, still chose to pursue action against me, as opposed to finding an alternative solution.

My intention has always been to get this situation rectified.  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.” (more via Ms. Hill’s Tumblr)

Lauryn Hill is expected in court June 29 - if she is found guilty, she faces up to three years in prison and a $300,000 fine.