Stephen Baldwin Pleads Guilty, Owes $300K in Taxes to IRS
Stephen Baldwin confessed to owing the government $300,000 in New York taxes, according to New York Daily News.
The 46-year-old actor, and youngest of the Baldwin family, admitted in court on March 29 that he failed to pay the IRS New York state income taxes for three years. He struck a plea bargain that would keep him out of jail and get his record wiped clean as long as he pays the taxes in full within the next year, according to the judge.
If he fails to pay the full amount he will be sentenced to five years of probation and will use that time to pay back the money. Baldwin's court hearing on Friday was in between appearances on All-Star Celebrity Apprentice. His second court appearance in relation to the case is set for June.
"Unfortunately, I got some really bad suggestions and advice ... from lawyers and accountants," Baldwin said outside court. "I'm just grateful for the opportunity to rectify this situation."
Baldwin initially needed to pay $400,000 in back taxes, interest and penalties, but the court waived interest and penalties, which brought the total to $350,000, his attorney Russell Yankwitt said. The court then reduced that amount to $300,000.
"Mr. Baldwin is a man of faith, and it's difficult for him to get jobs in Hollywood that are compatible with his faith, and that's one of the difficulties he's had paying off the money," Yankwitt said.
The attorney confirmed that the money Baldwin receives from Apprentice is permanently going to charity.
Baldwin was arrested in December on charge of failing to file taxes in 2008, 2009 and 2010 and released on his own recognizance. The tax charge was a result of an investigation conducted by the Rockland County Special Investigations Unit and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.
