by Chris Palmer

This isn’t really divorce related, but worth addressing.  Wesley Snipes looks like he’ll be spending the next few years in prison for tax evasion. He was convicted of tax evasion but while he appealed the conviction he was out on bail.  Now that the appeal is concluded, so is his freedom, at least for a while.  While Snipes intentionally sought to evade taxation, and will pay a heavy price, normal people can find themselves with a financially devastating tax situation if they neglect their taxes.  While not a criminal offense normally, failing to file returns or to pay the required tax results in penalties and interest and a debt collector that you really can’t hang up on.  In the middle of a divorce, the last thing a divorcing person needs is delinquent tax debt.  File your returns, pay your taxes and avoid significant financial consequences.  Remember – the IRS will still be married to you even if your spouse is not.