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On Feb. 2, 1993, Willie Nelson<\/a> settled\u00a0an $11 million tax bill with the IRS \u2014 one of the most high-profile tax cases in music history.<\/p>\n The trouble began when the IRS decided that tax shelters Nelson’s accountants had set up were not valid, levying massive fines and penalties on top of the original unpaid amount.<\/p>\n Nelson’s lawyers negotiated the massive bill and penalties down to $6.7 million, and a judge signed off on that deal on June 6, 1990.<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/em> Country Stars Who’ve Declared Bankruptcy<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n However, the government still seized much of Nelson’s property and sold it at auction.<\/p>\n Fortunately, friends and supporters bought a lot of Nelson’ property at auction and gave it right back to him, in recognition of his own generosity to others over the years.<\/p>\n Nelson then released an album titled The IRS Tapes: Who Will Buy My Memories?<\/em> It’s not generally remembered as his finest project, but the profits also helped him get back on his feet.<\/p>\n “We try to work with taxpayers,” the IRS explained<\/a> of the unusual agreement. “And if we have to come up with some creative payment plan, that\u2019s what we\u2019re going to do, because it\u2019s in everyone\u2019s best interest.”<\/p>\n The country music legend finished paying off his debts in 1993.<\/p>\n In 2006, Nelson poked fun at his tax troubles in a hilarious commercial for H&R Block<\/a>, which aired during Super Bowl XXXVIII.<\/p>\n Willie Nelson began his music career in the late 1960s. Back then he wasn’t the typical country artist from Nashville \u2014 he was considered an outlaw.<\/p>\n Take a look back to his early years, and see photos of a young Willie Nelson that you may have ever seen before.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Evan Paul<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWhat Caused Willie Nelson’s Tax Problems?<\/h3>\n
Why Was Willie Nelson’s Property Auctioned Off?<\/h3>\n
30 Pictures of a Young Willie Nelson<\/h2>\n