2/FEB/08: Fat Joe & Accountant Deny IRS Troubles

[HitEmUpRobbo]

Fat Joe and his accountant have come forward to deny
recent reports that the rapper was indebted to the IRS.

Various websites have reported that the rapper owed the U.S. government
over $150,000 dollars in back taxes.

"I definitely pay my taxes," Joe told AllHipHop.com. "I'm straight up
with it. The first thing I ever learned in the entertainment business is
you gotta pay the IRS. First thing. Before I take a dollar, before I buy
me a bag of potato chips, I pay those people."

According to the reports, Fat Joe, born Joseph Cartagena, and his
company Terror Squad Productions each owed the New Jersey Treasury over
$70,000 dollars in back taxes, for a total liability of close to $150,
000 dollars.

Fat Joe's name appeared on the list as an officer of Terror Squad
Productions, with balances dated September 2007.

The rapper's longtime accountant, Brian Dittrich, said that he is
investigating the report, but also denied Fat Joe was in debt to Uncle
Sam.

"I've represented Joe in matters of taxation for close to 12 years,"
Dittrich told AllHipHop.com. "It is my understanding that Joe is current
with all federal and state taxes and that there are no balances due."

The NJ Taxation website also states that "taxpayers may appear that have
resolved debt since their appearance on this list and are in the process
of being removed."

The current list was last updated on January 7.

Fat Joe, who now resides and pays taxes in Miami, Florida, was puzzled
by the allegations.

"I been in the game twelve years, I've never had no accusations of owing
nobody, or owing taxes or nothing like that. Where does this come from,"
the rapper asked.

Fat Joe is currently promoting his eighth solo studio album, The
Elephant In The Room, due out March 11 on Terror Squad/Imperial
Records.