Lauryn Hill Inks New Deal With Sony Music To Pay Off Her Tax Debt

It looks like The Fugees’ Lauryn Hill has escaped jail time for not paying her taxes and she has her label Sony Music to think for that.

As previously reported, Lauryn plead guilty last year for not filing federal tax returns in 2005, 2006 and 2007 when she made a total of $1.8 million.

Hill could have been sentenced but now has until May 3rd to pay more than $500-thousand.

L Boogie’s saving grace… if that’s what you want to call it… is her record company. The Hip-Hop/singer signed a new deal with Sony last year and is reportedly working on a new album. Her attorney Nathan Hochman said that Hill is getting final approval for a loan this week, which should allow her to pay off the tax bill.

According to her new deal, Hill will make 5 songs for $1 million, which will pay off her debt to Uncle Sam. She’ll also get more money to record an entire album.

I Didn't Pay Taxes Because I "Withdrew From Society" - Lauryn Hill

Lauryn Hill claims the reason she stiffed the United States on massive tax bills for years is essentially the same reason she fell off the map after the '90s.

Fear.

Lauryn filed legal document asking for mercy before her sentencing later this month, claiming there was a reason she failed to file tax returns from 2005-07.

Hill has already pleaded guilty and faces several years in prison.

Her hilarious excuse for not reporting $1.8M in earnings?

She stopped paying "when she withdrew from society at large due to what she perceived as manipulation and very real threats to herself and her family."

She's not specific about the threats, but it's a new explanation for her abrupt disappearance from the music scene after her rise to fame, if nothing else.

Lauryn's asking the court to consider other factors and to give her probation instead, citing that she can pay off the debt much faster if she's not in jail.

A judge will rule April 22.