Celebrity Tax Problems - Rapper DMX Arrested for Tax Evasion

Oh boy. The 49-year-old rapper is in deep doo-doo.

E! News reports that DMX (real name Earl Simmons) has been arrested and charged with both tax evasion and fraud for allegedly withholding a substantial chunk o' change from the IRS. On Friday, July 14, 2017, the U.S. Attorney's Office and the IRS released a statement regarding the matter, explaining the allegations made against DMX.

"For years, Earl Simmons, the recording artist and performer known as DMX, made millions of his chart-topping songs, concert performances, and television shows. But while raking in millions from his songs, including his 2003 hit 'X Gon' Give it to Ya,' DMX didn't give any of it to the IRS," the statement read. "Far from it, DMX allegedly went out of his way to evade taxes, including by avoiding personal bank accounts, setting up accounts in other's names and paying personal expenses largely in cash. He even allegedly refused to tape the television show Celebrity Couples Therapy until a properly issued check he was issued was reissued without withholding any taxes."

The statement, which continued, "Celebrity rapper or not, all Americans must pay their taxes, and together with our partners at the IRS, we will pursue those who deliberately and criminally evade this basic obligation of citizenship."

DMX faces a total of 14 counts — "one count of corruptly endeavoring to obstruct and impede the due administration of Internal Revenue Laws, one count of evasion of payment of income taxes, six counts of evasion of assessment of income tax liability, and six counts of failure to file a U.S. individual income tax return."

If convicted of all counts, DMX could face over 40 years behind bars. (Ouch!) According to Rolling Stone, the rapper surrendered to the authorities on Thursday, July 13 and is scheduled to appear in federal court in New York on July 14.

Unfortunately, this isn't exactly the first time DMX has been taken in by the law. DMX has previously been arrested at least 15 times for driving crimes alone. He's also been arrested for crimes including, among others, animal cruelty, aggravated assault, failure to pay child support, and possession of a weapon.

If you've wondered why you haven't heard anything from the rapper in recent years you now know why.