Teresa Giudice could lose her Bravo paycheck due to the back taxes she and her husband, Luis Ruelas, owe to the IRS.
As another tax lien against the 52-year-old Real Housewives of New Jersey cast member was revealed, a tax expert has confirmed that the paychecks she receives from the network could be garnished by the government in an effort to pay off her outstanding balance of $303,889.20.
“Mainly we worry about late payment penalties,” Tax Controversy Attorney Adam Brewer, who is not involved in Teresa and Luis’ case, explained to The U.S. Sun on March 29. “IRS is generally going to top out at 25 percent.”
“She’s looking at paying past due taxes plus current taxes at the same time. It really can put a crutch on you,” he continued, revealing the IRS could garnish “wages” and “bank accounts.”
“If you’re not in a payment plan, if you don’t have some sort of formal agreement to pay it, then they can seize assets,” the attorney explained. “The bank accounts and wages, that’s easy. They send out one letter to a bank or employer and seize the funds.”
According to the tax expert, Teresa and Luis are at risk of losing paychecks and bank accounts until they establish a formal payment plan with the IRS.
“If the lien is filed, they give you opportunity to resolve it. If she isn’t already in a repayment plan, that’s the first thing you can do to protect yourself,” he shared.
As for their $3.4 million mansion in Montville, New Jersey, he noted that the property is likely safe from seizure.
“Physical assets we don’t generally see. Especially if it’s a primary residence. You don’t see the states or IRS go after primary residences. It’s an inefficient process for them. They have to send out agents, to collect it they have to resell it. They’re not going to recoup a lot of money on it,” he explained.
Another attorney, Adam Michael Sacks, who is also not professionally tied to Teresa or Luis, previously shared how the couple’s debt may have occurred, stating that taxes are not likely deducted from Teresa’s RHONJ paychecks.
“It’s very common to spend all the money and not put anything aside,” he explained. “At the end of the year. You owe a lot of money, a third or more and they don’t have it.”
In addition to the tax lien Teresa was dealt in early March, she reportedly has another active lien from her marriage to Joe Giudice, 52, in the amount of $551,563.30. Meanwhile, Luis is facing liens in the amounts of $163,523.94 and $2,569,842.06.
After being hit with more than $3 million in tax liens, Luis requested more time to pay off a $1 million loan he took out last year to pay off his and Teresa’s home, as well as an additional $250,000 loan from his lender.
