In Michigan’s Oakland County, people work hard and pay their taxes.
But Democratic congressional candidate — and former “Little House on the Prairie” actress — Melissa Gilbert isn’t from there, and apparently doesn’t pay her taxes, either.
Yesterday, Gilbert announced her campaign for the 8th Congressional district seat, currently held by Republican Rep. Mike Bishop, WXYZ reports.
Excited to announce my run for U.S. Congress in Michigan's 8th. Please join me in my fight for working families. http://t.co/WTUEZukVeX
— Melissa Gilbert (@MEGBusfield) August 10, 2015
But in June, Gilbert’s IRS woes caught up with her when the Detroit News profiled the Hollywood star who had recently moved into the area.
“The Internal Revenue Service recently accused her of failing to pay more than $360,000 in federal income taxes,” the News reported, for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Gilbert said she was unable to pay her tax obligation — dare we say her “fair share” — due to “a stalled acting career, the economy and divorce.”
“(The debt) has more to do with the housing crash and divorce in the past,” Gilbert’s husband, Tim Busfield told the paper. “It’s a product of what happened with the economy. It’s unfortunate and it’s been happening a lot. It’s not a big deal.”
Gilbert claimed she reached a settlement with the IRS to pay off her debt.
“I’ve set up an installment plan to fully pay off my debt and will continue to work as hard as I can to erase this debt and dig myself out of this hole,” she said. “I am absolutely positive that I can do it.”
But according to the News, that’s not her only tax trouble. The state of California’s not letting her forget the obligation she has to them.
The state “has filed $112,527 worth of tax liens against her since 2013,” the paper reports, giving California a claim on everything she owns, from “vehicles to homes and income.”

Gilbert’s obligation to pay her fair share didn’t stop her from apparently getting plastic surgery to give herself a more youthful appearance.
A site called “Plastic Surgery Star” explained the work done:
Melissa Gilbert recently had a facelift along with several Botox injections as an anti-aging remedy.
The cosmetic smoothed out her skin, but it’s pretty apparent she had it done.
Here’s Melissa Gilbert before and after her facelift surgery.
“We’re thrilled she’s here,” Bloomfield Hills lawyer Norman Yatooma told the News. “She’s every bit the class act in person that her fans have come to love from the comfort of their couches.”
But will they continue loving the Hollywood actress who is delivering lectures about the rich paying their fair share when she seems unwilling to pay her own?
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