Internet in splits as Terrence Howard hit with $1M fine after saying it’s 'immoral' to tax descendants of slaves

PLYMOUTH MEETING, PENNSYLVANIA: Academy Award-nominated actor Terrence Howard recently found himself in hot water after a federal judge ordered him to pay nearly $1 million in back taxes, as per Philadelphia Inquirer.

Howard had rebuffed the government's efforts to collect the unpaid taxes for quite some time, even going so far as to leave a threatening voicemail for the Justice Department lawyer on the case.

The voicemail, in which Howard claimed the descendants of slaves should not have to pay taxes, provoked a fierce backlash on the internet against the Hollywood star's "commendable madness."

As Howard's latest tax woes make headlines, his career-long history of unpaid taxes has now caught up to him in the form of legal judgments ordering him to settle his debts.

Terrence Howard left threatening message to DOJ's lead attorney after being sued in 2022

The 54-year-old star of the hit TV show 'Empire' failed to pay over $500,000 in income taxes between 2010 and 2019, according to the IRS. Despite months of efforts by the Justice Department to engage Howard in court after suing him in 2022, the actor's only response was a threatening voicemail he allegedly left for the lead attorney on the case.

According to a transcript included in court filings, Howard denied owing any taxes and said in the message, "Four hundred years of forced labor and never receiving any compensation for it. Now you have the gall to try and prosecute and charge taxes to the descendants of a broken people that you are responsible for causing the breakage."

Howard called the attorney back to continue his rant, stating, "In truth, the entire United States should, by default, become the property of the descendants of slaves...But since you do not have the ability [or] the courage to do it, let’s try this in court...We’re gonna bring you down."

Latest tax tangle is not Terrence Howard's first brush with authorities over unpaid taxes

Despite his vow to fight the lawsuit, Howard never formally responded in court. After a hearing last week in Philadelphia, Judge John F Murphy granted the government's request for a default judgment of $903,115 against the actor.

This latest tax tangle is not Howard's first brush with authorities over unpaid taxes. He has faced numerous state and federal tax liens throughout his career, even as he earned acclaim for roles like his Oscar-nominated performance in 2005's 'Hustle & Flow.' In 2019, prosecutors opened a criminal probe into Howard and his wife over possible tax evasion.

Internet slams Terrence Howard for 'trying to get out paying taxes'

In the wake of the news surrounding actor Howard's $1 million tax judgment, the internet erupted with a mix of amusement and criticism. One X user expressed a blend of incredulity and amusement, stating, "Absolutely amazing that he used being black to try and get out of paying his taxes. Commendable madness."

Another user took a more straightforward approach, humorously advising Howard, "Lol you're black but still rich man, simply pay up." A third user took a stern stance, suggesting that Howard's predicament was well-deserved: "He had it coming.. Next time he should control what comes out of his mouth."

Another individual argued, "Only whites have to pay taxes. Sorry brotha but cash is GREEN. It doesn't matter what race, color, or creed you claim the IRS will bleed you dry."  The online discourse continued with a fifth user questioning Howard's tactics, remarking, "Did he just play a slave card to avoid paying taxes? Clown moment."

Adding to the mix, a sixth user humorously speculated on Howard's accounting skills, jesting, "No wonder Terrance Howard messed up his taxes. He must’ve been using his math system where 1x1=2."

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