From once being a top star, known for featuring in the first Iron Man and earning an Oscar for Hustle & Flow, to now being the focus of a tax evasion case, Terrence Howard’s life has taken some wild turns. While the actor has been part of several acclaimed projects throughout his career that span over three decades, as of now, Howard is known for his bizarre statements and legal troubles.
Howard is no stranger to legal troubles with the government, as in the mid-2000s, state tax liens amounting to $639K were filed against his property in Plymouth Meeting. And while that was settled, the actor has now found himself in hot waters with the IRS after reportedly making some baffling statements.
Terrence Howard’s Baffling Response to the Tax Evasion Lawsuit
Per The Hollywood Reporter, a Philadelphia Judge has ordered the Oscar-nominated actor to pay a sum close to $1 million in back taxes after failing to pay his income taxes between 2010 and 2019. The actor was supposed to pay a total of $578K, but following his alleged absence at the hearings of the case, the actor is now obligated to pay $903,114.72. Per the reports, Howard’s response to the Department of Justice’s lawsuit didn’t go past a voicemail, in which he allegedly claimed it was immoral of the government to tax Descendants of Slavery.
“Four hundred years of forced labor and never receiving any compensation for it,” Howard said. “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… 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.”
Baffled by his alleged comments, fans took to X to share:
Lmaooooo dude is using the race card to get out of paying taxes. 😂😂😂
— Jack (@JackFought_1) March 1, 2024
Terrence Howard's bank rn pic.twitter.com/KloSRx6N7t
— Taylor 𝕏 (@Themba_Taylor) March 1, 2024
Its important to pay taxes, as they contribute to society.
While the history of slavery is tragic…taxes are necessary for public services.
— ZAQ RIDER (@zaqrider) March 1, 2024
Terrance Howard going off the grid after this News 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/uUoUEciKSQ
— LITZ EVO (@iEvoAK) March 1, 2024
Does he think it is still 17th century?
— CricNation.TV (@CricNation_TV) March 1, 2024
This isn’t the first time the actor has failed to pay his taxes, as in 2010 the IRS imposed a lien of $1.1M on his property, following his failure to pay the required sum in 2007 and 2008, per The Blast.
Terrence Howard Sued CAA for Allegedly Urging Him to Settle for an Unfair Payday
Terrence Howard, who played the music mogul Lucious Lyon for six seasons in Empire, sued CAA last year, alleging he didn’t receive the paycheck he should have been paid. Howard claimed that the talent agency urged him to agree to a salary below the industry standard for partaking in the show. His team claimed he was paid 30 to 50 percent less than what he should’ve earned per episode. Howard told reporters:
“We expect our agents and our lawyers to look after us, and therefore we’re free to do all of the work that you guys enjoy so much. I trusted CAA to look after me, and they looked after themselves.”
While Terrence Howard wasn’t certain if it was a racial issue, he couldn’t think of any other counterpart for being paid unfairly for the popular show, which has been amassing huge numbers.
