Martin Scorsese, the famous Hollywood director who made a career directing movies about mob crimes such as Goodfellas, Casino and The Departed, is in big trouble with the Government. He owes almost $3 million.

But this isn’t the first time the famed director has had a run-in with the IRS. He owed almost $2.1 million in tax debt stemming from various tax liens from 2002, 2003, and 2004. He paid those debts in full. But last year the filmmaker faced a lawsuit for allegedly failing to pay $600,000 to his jailed accountant Kenneth Starr.

Martin Scorsese Dealing with the IRS

Now, the director’s facing yet another huge bill after he was handed a past-due notice for $2.85 million last month. Scorsese’s debts are thought to come from his dealings with Starr, who was this month jailed for more than seven years for embezzling $30 million from celebrity clients. Scorsese’s representative Leslee Dart insists the IRS lien is “a complete mistake” and that he no longer owes any money, adding, “The IRS prematurely filed this lien even though Mr. Scorsese had an agreement with the IRS to make payments and was fully complying. As of this moment, the entire amount is full paid, and he has no current IRS debts.”

Tax Lessons for You

A spokesperson for the IRS has refused to comment, but we would like to. Tax debt is not just for the blue collar worker, it affects everyone from all walks of life, even people we’ve grown to admire through their cinematic achievements. According to Martin Scorsese’s reps, he’s taken control of his tax debt and worked out a payment plan. Have you?