Back in the 1970s, she was one of America's youngest sweethearts, starring on "Little House on the Prairie." It has been awhile since Melissa Gilbert's name was mentioned in the news, and her recent return was probably not what she would have wished for. The 51-year-old actress has been accused by the Internal Revenue Service of not paying her federal taxes.
The IRS says she owes more than $360,000. It has placed a lien on her property, further complicating a life Gilbert says has been made difficult in recent years by divorce, a dearth of acting opportunities and a sputtering economy. She said the array of factors "created a perfect storm of financial difficulty" for her.
She and her current husband, actor Timothy Busfield ("West Wing," "thirtysomething," "Revenge of the Nerds"), married in 2013, not long ago moved into a log house a few hours north of Cleveland in a central Michigan town. Like many people in similar financial situations, Gilbert has a payment plan set up to pay the IRS back taxes. She said she is "absolutely positive" she can pay off the debt, she told an area newspaper.
It isn't clear if she has paid off another tax debt that has been plaguing her, this one owed to the state of California. It has had a lien on Gilbert property since 2013, when it was revealed that she owed the state $112,527.
These are the kinds of tax complications that call for the skill and knowledge of an experienced tax attorney; someone familiar with how to reach favorable resolutions in IRS negotiations. For more information:
