James F. McDonough
Of Counsel
732-568-8360 jmcdonough@sh-law.comFirm Insights
Mary J. Blige Faces Tax Lien on New Jersey Mansion
Author: James F. McDonough
Date: February 21, 2013
Key Contacts
Back
Grammy winner and R&B artist Mary J. Blige is facing a host of financial issues that recently culminated in a $900,000 tax lien being placed on her home.
The state of New Jersey imposed the lien on Blige’s 18,250-square-foot mansion in Saddle River after Blige violated tax law by failing to pay back taxes. She bought the home with her husband in 2008 for the price of $12.5 million, and quickly ran into financial issues trying to make the annual $100,000 property tax payments. The French country-style home features an indoor movie theater, fitness center, gourmet kitchen and eight bedrooms, according to AOL Real Estate. The lien is not the only issue the top-selling artist is facing.
She is currently facing a lawsuit from Bank of America, which sued the singer after defaulting on a $500,000 loan. The bank said she took out the loan in 2005 and stopped making payments in 2012. In addition, Blige’s former landscaper is also suing the singer for $4,000 in back tax payments. In May 2012, the New York Post reported that Blige’s charity, which is designed to empower women, failed to file tax returns for the last several years, and is missing hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations. Further, the organization defaulted on a $250,000 loan from TD Bank.
“The problem is that I didn’t have the right people in the right places doing the right things,” Blige said of the charities problems, according to the Post.
In all, the singer and her husband are on the hook for more than $3 million in defaulted mortgages. In an effort to overcome these financial woes, Blige dropped the original $14 million asking price of her New Jersey home – which has been on the market since 2011 – to its valued $12.5 million.
- Practices: Tax and Trusts & Estates, Corporate Tax Planning
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Related Posts
See all
One Big Beautiful Bill: New Tip Income Tax Rules Employers & Workers Need to Know
Part 2 – Tips Excluded from Income Certain employees and independent contractors may be eligible to deduct tips from their income for tax years 2025 through 2028 under provisions included in the One Big Beautiful Bill. The deduction is capped at $25,000 per year and begins to phase out at $150,000 of modified adjusted gross […]
Author: Scott H. Novak
One Big Beautiful Bill: New Overtime Tax Rules Employers and Employees Need to Know
Part 1 – Overtime Pay and Income Tax Treatment Overview This Firm Insights post summarizes one provision of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” related to the tax treatment of overtime compensation and related employer wage reporting obligations. Overtime Pay and Employee Tax Treatment The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) generally requires that overtime be paid […]
Author: Scott H. Novak
New York’s FAIR Business Practices Act: What the New Consumer Protection Measure Means for Your Business
In 2025, New York enacted one of the most consequential updates to its consumer protection framework in decades. The Fostering Affordability and Integrity through Reasonable Business Practices Act (FAIR Act) significantly expands the scope and strength of New York’s long-standing consumer protection statute, General Business Law § 349, and alters the compliance landscape for New York […]
Author: Dan Brecher
How to Reduce Legal Risk as Your New Jersey Business Grows in 2026
For many New Jersey businesses, growth is a primary objective for the New Year. However, it is important to recognize that growth involves both opportunity and risk. For example, business expansion often results in complex contracts, an increased workforce, new regulatory requirements, and heightened exposure to disputes. Without proactive planning, even routine growth can lead […]
Author: Ken Hollenbeck
Crypto Investor Protection: SEC and CFTC Enforcement Trends
Crypto investor protection continues to evolve, with the SEC and CFTC investing resources and coordinating more closely to uphold regulatory standards. Whether you’re a retail investor, an institutional trader, or part of a crypto startup, understanding enforcement trends is essential for navigating this dynamic and high-stakes regulatory environment. Crypto Is No Longer the Wild West […]
Author: Dan Brecher
New Jersey’s Next Manufacturing Tax Credit: Stability Secured, Timing Matters
A Settled Regulatory Environment Enables Confident Capital Planning New Jersey’s new manufacturing incentive program, Next New Jersey Manufacturing Program, enters 2026 with something uncommon in economic development these days: policy stability. The statute is enacted, New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s (“NJEDA”) rules are adopted, and the application portal is open. With the election outcome settled, […]
Author: Michael J. Sheppeard
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.