Lauryn Hill Responds To Tax Charges

The singer, songwriter, and actress took to the internet to explain why she stopped paying taxes.

On her Tumblr account, Hill talks about withdrawing from society to keep herself and her family safe from popular culture’s “climate of hostility, false entitlement, manipulation, racial prejudice, sexism and ageism.”

The eight-time grammy winner was charged with not filing taxes on $1.8 million income from 2005 – 2007.

Hill posted a response on her tumblr page, called Ms. Lauryn Hill.

“Over-commercialization and its resulting restrictions and limitations can be very damaging and distorting to the inherent nature of the individual,” Hill wrote.

“I did not deliberately abandon my fans, nor did I deliberately abandon any responsibilities, but I did however put my safety, health and freedom and the freedom, safety and health of my family first over all other material concerns! I also embraced my right to resist a system intentionally opposing my right to whole and integral survival.”

The New Jersey native rose to fame in mid-1990s with her group The Fugees. She then won five Grammys for her 1998 solo debut, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.”

But since then, her musical output and public appearances have been slim. Hill has released only one other album (a live collection), appeared on a handful of singles, and sometimes performed on stage. She appeared earlier this week at the Hot 97 Summer Jam concert in East Rutherford with Nas.

Hill said she explained to authorities why she didn’t file tax returns.

“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,” she wrote.

“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.”