Lauryn Hill Faces Up to 3-Years In Prison

Lauryn Hill could face up to 2-years in prison

The singer appeared in a NJ court yesterday (June 29) and pled guilty to failing to file federal tax returns with the IRS in 2005, 2006 and 2007.  Takes that add up to the amount of $1.6 million. According to MTV, when asked if she “intentionally and willingly” didn’t pay her yearly income taxes, Hill responded “yes.”

After the hearing, Hill took to her blog to explain why she entered a guilty to plea and why she chose not to file taxes.

She wrote:

“For the past several years, I have remained what others would consider underground,” she wrote.

“I kept my life relatively simple, even after huge successes,” she continued. “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.”

“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”.

Hill continued that she was paying her taxes while she was “working consistently,” and “only stopped when it was necessary to withdraw from society, in order to guarantee the safety and well-being of myself and my family. As this, and other areas of issue are resolved and set straight, I am able to get back to doing what I should be doing, the way it should be done.”

Hill will be sentence in November.