Lauryn Hill Charged With Failing to Pay $1.6 Million in Taxes

Singer Lauryn Hill has been charged with failing to file three years of federal taxes, totaling more than $1.6 million in income, according to prosecutors in New Jersey.

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Hill, 37, who was a member of The Fugees before embarking on a solo career, is charged with allegedy not paying taxes in 2005, 2006 and 2007, according to papers filed in the U.S. District Court in Newark.

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According to court papers, the five-time Grammy winning singer’s primary income source is royalties from recording and film industries. Hill also owns and operates four businesses: L.H. Productions 2001, Creations Music, Studio 22 and Boogie Tours.

Each of the three charges carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and up to a $100,000 fine.

Hill, whose 1998 solo album "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" sold 8 million copies, is scheduled to appear before a federal magistrate on June 29.

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Hill performed at the Summer Jam concert in New Jersey on Sunday after Nicki Minaj decided not to appear when the host DJ insulted her song, “Starships.” She later defended Minaj’s decision to bow out of the concert.

“I don't have details on exactly what transpired between the station and the artists, but I do support artists standing by their beliefs, and walking with integrity. We have to find a better way to commercially exploit music, while giving artists their proper respect,” she wrote on Twitter.