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Aretha Franklin Reportedly Left Behind $8M Tax Debt

Posted on December 28th, 2018
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Staff Editor


The legendary Aretha Franklin passed away over the summer at the age 76. After leaving behind an impactful legacy, it was recently discovered that that wasn’t the only that she left behind.

According to TMZ, the Queen of Soul also left behind nearly $8 million worth of debt with the IRS. Uncle Sam claims she owes more than $6.3 million in back taxes between 2012 to 2018, plus an additional $1.5 million in penalties.

Representing Franklin’s estate, Attorney David Bennett says Franklin settled the “vast majority” of her debt before she died. “The Estate is diligently working to resolve any remaining issues,” he said. One of Franklin’s ex-attorneys explained the tax lien is the result of several audits over the last six years.

However, the IRS isn’t the only entity after Franklin’s money. Another former lawyer filed court documents in October, asking her estate to pay roughly $54,000 for bills dating back to 2012. Additionally, a publishing company wants $136,000 in royalties for the singer’s 1973 song, “Angel.”

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