IRS notifies Tennessee legislator of $19K in unpaid taxes

Friday, January 24, 2020, Vol. 44, No. 4

JOHNSON CITY (AP) — The Internal Revenue Service filed a federal tax lien against a Tennessee state legislator notifying the lawmaker that he failed to pay just over $19,000 in in federal income taxes over two years.

Rep. Matthew Hill, a Republican representing Jonesborough, has an unpaid balance of about $4,360 from 2016 and an unpaid balance of $14,680 from 2018, according to IRS documents filed at the beginning of the month and recently obtained by news outlets. The unpaid taxes are connected to his businesses Marathon Strategies and Rightway Marketing, WJHL-TV reported.

A lien is legal claim against one's property to secure the payment of a debt.

Hill released a statement acknowledging the notice, saying he is taking action and will pay all taxes owed. He said he recently was made aware of the lien and is considering whether to pursue an appeal.

Hill has represented District 7 since 2004.

House Speaker Cameron Sexton, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and an IRS spokeswoman wouldn't comment on the specific case to WCYB-TV.