R&B poptart Omarion becomes the latest celebrity to face the wrath of the Internal Revenue Service, reportedly owing the government in excess of $100,000.
The 25-year-old singer (real name: Omarion Grandberry) owes $110,585 in unpaid taxes dating back to 2003, reports the Detroit News. Omarion reportedly failed to pay income taxes in 2003, 2005 and 2006—at the height of his fame with boy band B2K—and also filed for bankruptcy in January. The bankruptcy was dismissed ten days later.
In May, the IRS filed a $35,210 lien in Orange County against Omarion, a $25,660 lien in October 2009, and a $49,715 filed in the Los Angeles County Recorder of Deeds in August of 2009. The Orange County liens are attached to his $1.5 million home in Ladera Ranch, California, which was featured in this episode of MTV Cribs.
Omarion has released three solo albums following the breakup of B2K. He is currently the newest judge on America's Best Dance Crew. In recent weeks singer Toni Braxton and sex symbol slash actor Boris Kodjoe have also made the news after owing six figure tax bills to the IRS.
Celebrities get into this mindset of believing their status puts them "above it all" because they have so many people around them to "handle" things like taxes. Omarion (like Braxton and Kodjoe) run afoul of the IRS precisely because they are celebrities. Their life of high consumption is there for all to see, and no one is attending to minutiae like "taxes", until it's too late.
This isn't like a DWI case or a groupie alleging paternity, this is the IRS, the only agency of government allowed to operate outside the normal rules of American law. In Tax Court, you are guilty until you prove yourself innocent; you can rob a bank and enjoy due process, but not when you mess with Uncle Sam's money.
I'm just wondering why these personalities don't get honest, reliable accountants when they make it big...
Posted by: Nathan James | 19 October 2010 at 17:52
@Nathan James
Agreed! And meanwhile, the rest of us mortals are still responsible for not only filing our tax returns, but we're responsible for sending the accompanying check. As much as I adore some of these celebs, I cannot feel sorry for them when they take for granted the rewards of success.
"To much is given, much is required."
Posted by: Black Pegasus | 19 October 2010 at 21:21
CHILE...
Ms. Boris better STACK them per episode CHECKS he's getting for UNDERCOVERS cause, um, NEWS FLASH:
The show has *NOT* gotten a full season pick up order..they got 6 more scripts..NOT an OFFICIAL back 9 order like CHUCK and CHASE (a horrible show, but shout out to Rose Rollins and Amaury Nolasco for bringing some well NEEDED color to that mess of a show) did off the bat...
And, UNLESS ratings improve, the show WILL be cancelled.
So, Boris might want to put aside some of that 60K a week [BEFORE taxes] he's (i'm betting) getting an episode for UNDERCOVERS and *PAY* them tax bills.
The IRS DON'T PLAY.
Ooh..i know his wife Nicole is mad at him.....cause I DOUBT he's getting MUCH coin from them SOUL FOOD reruns...
so OVER negroes not managing their money or being ON POINT with their finances.
Posted by: Ryan | 19 October 2010 at 21:31
Come on pay it up
Posted by: Corve | 19 October 2010 at 22:38
FOOLISH!
Posted by: D.bARR | 20 October 2010 at 10:55
Lord forgive me for saying this, but Chris Stokes was so busy (allegedly) diddling those boys he didn't teach them to handle their business.......
Posted by: Dluv | 20 October 2010 at 12:11
okay, i would totally give him the $110,000, if i had it, but... BOY OH BOY would there be a catch.
Posted by: chris-leo | 20 October 2010 at 13:32
dear God that man is phine!!! IRS what??? Last thing i'm thinking about is taxes with that picture!
Posted by: Willie | 20 October 2010 at 15:11
Uncle Sam & Aunt Irs (in unison):
"Where's our money "O"? Do you know what we do to younguns like you who don't pay up?
Posted by: Honut Sinti | 20 October 2010 at 18:45
Lol. Undercovers looks like crap. I watched the first episode, and just couldn't get into it. The girl's nice to look at, but the rest of it I can take or leave (including Boris).
Posted by: Alex | 20 October 2010 at 20:09
Omarion isn't thinking. All he has to do is sell pictures of his magnificent naked booty on ebay (five bucks a photo). He'd have the money for the IRS in 24 hours...maybe 12 hours. He's not using all his assets.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | 21 October 2010 at 09:28
@Derrick from Philly. I agree with you. Somebody should tell him how to get out of this IRS mess. Penalties, processing fees, and interests are added everyday the bill isn't paid.
Posted by: chris w. | 21 October 2010 at 15:02
@ Ryan "so OVER negroes not managing their money or being ON POINT with their finances."
THANK YOU!!!!! OMG, So am I and have been for some time. Get it together black people. Lesson 1: Without finance, the flow of everything stops! Lesson 2: Living above your means is not a display of intelligence. It is just plain stupid! Flossin', flashin' blingin' flodgin' and the like, when you can not afford to do so is a form of financial insanity!
Posted by: KAK | 23 October 2010 at 02:14