Despite their lucrative roles in RHONJ (as the show is known to fans), the Giudices' financial struggles have been well-documented. The couple recently narrowly avoided foreclosure on their home, only to have the Internal Revenue Service clamp down with a $551,563 tax lien for unpaid taxes.
The unpaid tax bills span the years 2000 to 2013, according to a newspaper report. The time frame includes the period for which Joe Giudice was criminally charged for failing to pay income taxes on nearly $1 million. He agreed to plead guilty to not paying his taxes and was sentenced to a year in federal prison -- to be served at the same time as his 41-month conviction on bankruptcy fraud and wire fraud charges.
Teresa Giudice is currently serving 15 months as part of her guilty plea to bankruptcy fraud and wire fraud charges; she was not charged with tax crimes.
Their legal and financial struggles seem likely to continue for some time. The newspaper says Teresa Giudice has a memoir coming out early next year, and she and her family are the focus of a three-part Bravo special and will be appearing in the seventh season of RHONJ. The Giudices are learning that even with substantial income (she earns about $700,000 per season, Radar Online reports), financial troubles and serious legal issues with the IRS can follow.
The first step in unraveling similar issues is to speak with an attorney experienced in negotiating with the IRS on behalf of clients who owe back taxes or have underreported income.