From 2005 through 2008, D.C. Council member Marion Barry did not pay his taxes, according to the Internal Revenue Service. And now Uncle Sam wants his money from Barry -- all $15,000.
The Washington Post reports the IRS issued a lien to try to collect the money.
“We have made a demand for payment of this liability, but it remains unpaid,” the lien states. “Therefore, there is a lien in favor of the United States on all property and rights to property belonging to this taxpayer for the amount of these taxes.”
According to a copy of the lien, Barry (D-Ward 8) owes $649 for 2005; $4,907 for 2006; $8,679 for 2007; and $1,022 for 2008.
Barry is currently on probation for his other “forgetful moments” of paying his taxes. Barry was convicted for failing to file tax returns. Since 2006, IRS has been taking $1,350 from Barry’s checks every two weeks to repay the taxes on $500,000 he earned from 1999 through 2005.
The next year, he still failed to file for taxes. That got him another two years on probation.
Barry’s attorney, Fred Cooke, told the Post that basically an IRS lien is a common thing that happens to many people.
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“It’s an assessment of an amount that is owed… He paid the tax that he had the money to pay.”
Cooke went on to guess that Barry paid last year’s taxes in full, but he’s going to check out the lien. He also said Barry is meeting his obligations to make payments to clear his IRS debts. (Payments that the IRS is already automatically deducting from Barry’s checks.)
