Lionel Richie Owes $1.1 Million In Unpaid Taxes

Now it makes perfect sense to me.  As an avid music/record-collector - especially of the country format - I was surprised to see Lionel Richie trying to court the country audience with an album of duets with Nashville artists on some of his hits from the past.  Even though he charted twice on Billboard Country Singles chart, it still seemed like a stretch to me.

Apparently Ritchie needs the money to pay his back taxes.

The Internal Revenue Service has filed a tax lien against singer-songwriter Lionel Richie for over $1.1 million in unpaid taxes.

The tax lien was filed in Los Angeles on April 2 against the 62-year-old multiple Grammy winner for $1,130,609.11, according to E! News.

Speaking via his handlers, Lionel admits that he is delinquent and pledges to make good with the IRS.

Richie said the tax debt will be paid quickly. “I was recently made aware of the situation by my new team, and it’s being handled immediately,” he told CNN through his publicist on Friday.

IRS to Lionel Richie: Say You, Say Tax Lien: Accounting Today.