Tax Watchdog

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Category: Nicolas Cage

Posted by Robert Snell (The Detroit News) on Fri, Jul 31, 2009 at 7:56 PM

IRS wages 'Cage' fight with Hollywood star

The IRS is raising hell with "Raising Arizona" star Nicolas Cage, who owes more than $6.2 million in unpaid income taxes, records show.

The lien comes at a tough time for Cage, 45, who is weathering withering reviews for some of his recent flicks. Later this year, he will star in "Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans," with tax-troubled castmates Val Kilmer and former Detroiter Vondie Curtis-Hall -- both of whom have been featured in prior Tax Watchdog posts.

Cage won the Academy Award for best actor in 1996 for "Leaving Las Vegas."

What's owed:

The IRS filed a $6,257,005 lien against Cage (real last name: Coppola) on July 14 in Orleans District Court in Louisiana. According to this public record, he owes federal income taxes from 2007. The address listed on the lien is Cage's $3.55 million haunted mansion in New Orleans, which is for sale.

Up close: The 10,000-square-foot mansion is a popular stop on haunted tours in the Big Easy.

His side:

Cage's spokeswoman Annett Wolf declined comment.

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About this Weblog

Who owes taxes in Metro Detroit

Robert Snell is a Detroit News business reporter. He focuses on state and federal tax liens and, based on public records, interviews and Detroit News archives, identifies those who don't pay income, business and property taxes. He can be reached at rsnell@detnews.com or (313) 222-2028.

Why we focus on unpaid taxes

Every year, about $345 billion in federal taxes are either late or unpaid, according to the IRS, ripping open holes in budgets and shortchanging schools and public safety. That forces taxpayers to cough up more than their fair share, tax experts say. About $2.5 billion went uncollected in Michigan between 2000 and 2006.

Liens are filed when taxpayers ignore government pleas for payment. Tax liens are like tar. They stick to everything - homes, cars and income. According to the IRS, liens give the government a legal claim to a person's or company's property. Liens serve as security or payment for the tax debt and a red flag to creditors.

There are a variety of reasons people don't pay. Some can't afford to and some refuse while others miscalculate or receive bad advice. Unpaid taxes can lead to prison - just ask actor Wesley Snipes.

This blog will focus on state and federal liens and identify those who don't pay income, business and property taxes. We will gather our information from public records, interviews and Detroit News archives.