They say there’s only two things that are guaranteed in life: death and taxes. That even goes for celebrities. Stephen Baldwin, younger brother of “30 Rock” star Alec Baldwin, was arrested in New York on Thursday with failure to file state income taxes for three years. Baldwin, who lives in the New York City suburb of Rockland County, owes the IRS more than $350,000 in taxes and penalties. Ouch.
He failed to file taxes consecutively in 2008, 2009 and 2010 and could be charged with four years of prison if convicted.
“I didn’t commit a crime,” Baldwin said in a telephone interview. “My ability to make the payment I did today, as a sign to the state and district attorney, that I’m working to get this resolved.”
He even thanked his Twitter follows for support.
Thnx4all the prayers, Been trying2work this out4some time!Want2correct this&of course pay what I owe! Difficult situation.God is good
— Stephen Baldwin (@StephenBaldwin7) December 7, 2012
But Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe isn’t cutting the celebrity any slack.
“At a time when Rockland County and New York state face severe fiscal shortfalls, we cannot afford to allow wealthy residents to break the law by cheating on their taxes,” he said.
Baldwin was release from jail, but is due back in the courts Feb. 5. Welcome to the world, Mr. Baldwin.