Stars Who Have Had Tax Trouble

(Photo: )
(Photo: )

The federal tax deadline is just around the corner and millions of Americans are scurrying to file their returns. Celebrities, of course, must pay taxes too, but some have let previous tax deadlines come and go without paying what they owe. From Lindsay Lohan and Pamela Anderson to Ozzy Osbourne and Wesley Snipes, some celebrities have faced some serious tax problems.

So how can celebrities avoid finding themselves on the wrong side of the IRS?

“Celebrities should be sure they know what their accountant is reporting on their tax returns, including every deduction or credit listed on the return ... because they are ultimately responsible for paying their own taxes,” Nick Rizzi, the founder and CEO of Smart Tax, told The Huffington Post.

Additionally, “Celebrities must outsource financial matters and their taxes to people who have their complete financial well-being in mind and are fully aware of the exact laws and deadlines, and not to friends or other personal relationships,” Rizzi said.

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And like the rest of us, they simply need to plan ahead.

"The best way for a celebrity to make sure that they pay all of their taxes this year is to make estimated tax payment four times using form 1040 ES,” said Joshua S. Barger, vice president of tax services for Foundation Financial Group. “This will allow them to spread out the amount they will have to pay for contracted/self-employed work over the course of the year in less amounts rather than come up with the full balance when they file the next year."

Who are these celebrity scofflaws? Check out the slideshow below:

Lindsay Lohan

In January 2012, Lindsay Lohan reportedly received notice from the IRS that <a href="http://www.tmz.com/2012/01/11/lindsay-lohan-tax-lien-payback-accountants/#.Tw-ghmNWqXw" target="_hplink">she owed over $93,000 in unpaid taxes</a> from 2009. According to TMZ, the actress was simply unaware of the issue.

Warren Sapp

In April 2012, former NFL star Warren Sapp filed for bankruptcy, revealing that <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/investinganswers/8-scary-tales-of-celebrit_b_1420765.html" target="_hplink">he owed $942,000 in back taxes</a> from 2006 and 2010.

Ozzy And Sharon Osbourne

According to the IRS, Ozzy Osbourne and his wife Sharon <a href="http://articles.nydailynews.com/2011-04-15/gossip/29453055_1_lien-twitter-account-heavy-metal" target="_hplink">owed $1.7 million in taxes</a> from 2008 and 2009.
According to the IRS, Ozzy Osbourne and his wife Sharon owed $1.7 million in taxes from 2008 and 2009.

Method Man

In 2009, rapper Method Man was <a href="http://articles.cnn.com/2009-10-05/justice/method.man.taxes_1_method-man-tax-rapper-and-actor?_s=PM:CRIME" target="_hplink">arrested for failing to pay $33,000</a> in back taxes.
In 2009, rapper Method Man was arrested for failing to pay $33,000 in back taxes.

Chris Tucker

In 2012, it was revealed that comedian Chris Tucker reportedly <a href="http://theurbandaily.com/1792135/chris-tucker-12-million-dollars-taxes-movies-state-federal-movies-film/" target="_hplink">owed the government $12 million in unpaid taxes.</a>

Christina Ricci

"Pan Am" actress Christina Ricci was hit with a <a href="http://www.tmz.com/2010/04/21/christina-ricci-federal-tax-lien/#.T4xRzenHs5c" target="_hplink">federal income tax lien of nearly $180,000</a> on her 2008 earnings.

Pamela Anderson

"Baywatch" actress Pamela Anderson owed <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2010/04/pamela-anderson-owes-california-income-tax.html" target="_hplink">nearly half a million dollars to the IRS</a> in 2010.
"Baywatch" actress Pamela Anderson owed nearly half a million dollars to the IRS in 2010.

Nicolas Cage

Actor Nicolas Cage <a href="http://www.tmz.com/2010/01/16/nic-cage-tax-irs-lien-bankrupt/#.Tw-XWmNWqXw" target="_hplink">reportedly owed $6.7 million to the IRS</a> at the end of 2009.
Actor Nicolas Cage reportedly owed $6.7 million to the IRS at the end of 2009.

Burt Reynolds

In 1996, Burt Reynolds reportedly owed the state of California $225,000 in back taxes. <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2009-04-10-burt-reynolds_N.htm" target="_hplink">According to his rep, his debt has been fully paid.</a>

Wes Bentley

"Hunger Games" star Wes Bentley and his estranged wife, Jennifer Quanz, <a href="http://www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/w0004608.html" target="_hplink">owed over $200,000 in delinquent and federal taxes in 2010.</a>

Naomi Campbell

Supermodel Naomi Campbell<a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/naomi-campbells-taxing-issue-26839" target="_hplink"> owed more than $63,000 in back taxes</a> from 2009.
Supermodel Naomi Campbell owed more than $63,000 in back taxes from 2009.

Wesley Snipes

Wesley Snipes was <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/25/business/25snipes.html" target="_hplink">sentenced to three years in prison</a> for neglecting to pay over $17 million in taxes. He serving his time in December 2010.

Lionel Richie

<a href="http://www.eonline.com/news/lionel_richie_owes_irs_11_million_in/308595" target="_hplink">According to E! News</a>, Lionel Richie owes $1.1 million in unpaid taxes from 2010.
According to E! News, Lionel Richie owes $1.1 million in unpaid taxes from 2010.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.