Beyoncé challenges Uncle Sam over R50m tax bill

Beyoncé Giselle Knowles is in trouble with the IRS - America's version of SARS. 

The taxman claims the Grammy Award winner owes the US government $2.7-million (R50-million) for unpaid taxes and penalties. 

But Beyoncé is fighting back. The 'Halo' hitmaker has filed a petition this month to dispute the amount. According to Page Six, Queen B is arguing that the IRS made several errors in its determinations for the period in question (2018 and 2019). 

Beyoncé's lawyers claim the revenue service disallowed some of her charitable contributions, including an itemised deduction of $868,766 (R15,934,819). 

The 41-year-old's legal team also says that the IRS did not allow for portions of her income deductions related to her business.

These include utilities, management fees, and insurance. 

"We are working with the IRS and anticipate that the matter will be resolved shortly," one of Beyoncé''s attorneys told Page Six. 

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Beyoncé net worth

The $2.7-million tax bill might seem like a lot to most people, but the amount is a drop of water in the ocean for the star.

Beyoncé has a net worth of more than $450-million (R8.2-billion). Forbes named Queen B one of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women in 2022. She came in at #80 behind Taylor Swift at #79 and Rihanna #73. 

Beyoncé, Taylor, and Rihanna are part of a handful of media and entertainment figures who made the list. 

Oprah Winfrey ranked the highest at #24. German politician Ursula von der Leyen was named the most powerful woman in the world.

Beyoncé's husband, rapper Jay-Z, is not doing too badly either. His net worth is a whopping $2.5-billion (R45-billion).

Local stars who have owed SARS money in the past include Bonang Matheba, Somizi Mhlongo, and Black Coffee. 

ALSO READ: Rihanna and Kim Kardashian feature on Forbes' new billionaire list

Main image credit: Instagram/@beyonce