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Montel Williams' Tax Bill: $1 Million Owed in Back Taxes

By Minara El-Rahman on January 18, 2011 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

It seems like Montel Williams has a lot more to talk about other than war stories from his long running talk show.

The TV personality and former talk show host has been slammed with a $1 million tax lien. Montel Williams' tax bill is related to his 2008 and 2009 individual tax returns, the Smoking Gun reports. Montel Williams' tax lien, which was filed by the IRS in New York, shows that Montel Williams and his wife Tara owe $1,039,609.41 over those two years.

Generally, when the IRS files a Notice of Federal Tax Lien, the government establishes its interest in your property as a creditor when you owe taxes. The tax lien is a claim against your property; even property that you acquire after the tax lien is filed. Once a tax lien is filed by the IRS, the only way that it can be released is if the taxes are paid in full. In Montel Williams' case, he will most likely have to pay all $1,039,609.41 in full if he wants to be released from his lien. Montel Williams should be aware that his credit report will reflect this tax lien and that it could hurt his credit rating.

Perhaps the most galling thing about Montel Williams' tax situation is that he was recently under fire for promoting Money Mutual, a payday lender, WalletPop.com reports. The television personality was criticized for promoting high interest loans that target minorities. Many critics called the company predatory because it charged consumers completely unfair, usurious rates. 

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