When Will People Learn? You Can't Escape The Tax Man!!!!

Former American Idol winner Ruben Studdard is in trouble with the law.

Specifically the IRS.

According to court records, the season two winner has failed to pay almost $200,000 in state and federal taxes.

Turns out he owes $171,920 in unpaid federal income taxes and $21,730 in state income taxes, with the majority of the unpaid taxes coming for 2003 when he won American Idol.

You’d think after winning his $1 million contract on AI, he would have hired a good accountant!!!!!

And he has to have money still, or has he gone broke?

Back in 2006, Studdard sued his former business manager after he claims the manager misappropriated funds between 2003 and 2004.

Studdard was awarded $500,000 in actual losses and an extra $1.5 million in punitive damages.

Ruben is currently without a record deal after J Records dropped him last year.

So what’s a former AI contestant to do?

It’s off to Broadway, sort of.

Starting this November, he’ll star in the touring production of the Broadway show Ain’t Misbehavin.

Joining him will be former AI contestants Frenchie Davis and Trenyce.

Pay up!

[Image via WENN.]