Pacino, Scorsese Hit with IRS Liens

They’ve made numerous movies about characters that lived outside the law. Now actor Al Pacino and director Martin Scorsese have gotten into some hot water for real-life tax issues.
Pacino and Scorsese have separately been hit with tax liens by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Both liens appear to be related to their use of accountant Kenneth Starr, who was convicted of fraud and recently sentenced to 90 months in prison.

Scorsese’s $2.85 million lien isn’t the only trouble he has with Starr. The court-appointed receiver for Starr’s firm has filed suit against Sikelia, Scorsese’s production company, for nearly $600,000 in unpaid fees for accounting, bookkeeping, tax prep and personal management services.

Scorsese’s lawyers are contesting the claims and also said the director of “The Departed” and “Goodfellas” has paid off the lien, in addition to earlier liens totaling nearly $1.9 million.

The IRS filed a lien against Pacino for $188,283.50 for unpaid taxes from 2008 and 2009. A representative for Pacino said the star of “The Godfather” and “Dog Day Afternoon” has hired a new business manager to settle the debts.