A Chicago-area rapper is facing prison time after repeatedly refusing to pay the taxes he owed — even after the IRS and his own accountant told him to.
Carl Mitchell of Crete, Illinois, known professionally as “Twista,” pleaded guilty on June 24, 2026, to five counts of willfully failing to pay income tax for 2019 through 2023. During those years he earned income from performances, album sales, streaming, and royalties. The IRS and his accountants repeatedly reminded him of his tax debts. He refused to pay.
Instead, prosecutors say Mitchell took advances on future royalties through a third-party company — knowing the IRS couldn’t levy those funds — and bought at least four luxury vehicles. His unpaid liabilities date back to 2011, totaling more than $440,000.
He’s scheduled to be sentenced on October 22, 2026, and faces up to one year in prison on each of the five counts.
This case is a reminder that willfully ignoring a tax debt is treated very differently than being unable to pay it. The IRS doesn’t bring criminal charges over an honest hardship — it brings them when someone has the money, gets warned, and still chooses not to pay.
If you have back taxes, unpaid liabilities, or IRS letters piling up, don’t wait for it to get worse. Contact Ron Friedman CPA today for a free consultation. We’ll review your situation, explain your options, and help you take the next step toward resolving your tax problem.
