Talk about the agony of defeat. Olympic gold medal-winning skier Lindsey Vonn owes more than $1.7 million in delinquent federal taxes, according to public records.
The IRS damage bill comes amid a period of professional success and personal turmoil. Vonn, a crossover star with lucrative endorsement deals, topped the Alpine World Cup prize money list last month, earning $608,000 after winning 12 events and her fourth women’s overall title. But she has been coping with a divorce and those pesky Tim Tebow rumors (she attended the NFL quarterback’s charitable golf outing this weekend in Florida).
What’s owed:
- The IRS filed a $1,705,437 tax lien against Vonn and her estranged husband Thomas on April 2 with the Elko County Recorder in Nevada.
The address on the tax lien is a post office box. Here’s her home in Park City, Utah.
Her side:
Vonn vowed to pay the tax bill.
“It is no secret that my last year off the mountain has been filled with many personal challenges,” she wrote in an email. “This matter was only recently brought to my attention and I took immediate and deliberate steps to remedy the situation. I have made arrangements to pay in full the balance due.” Vonn also posted an explanation on Facebook late Sunday.
Update: The $1.7 million tax bill is from one year of income, according to the lien. She owes income taxes from 2010 — the year Vonn won gold in Vancouver.
Update (Monday): Vonn spokesman Lewis Kay told The News she has paid off the tax debt.
Join the Conversation
The Detroit News aims to provide a forum that fosters smart, civil discussions on the news and events that we cover. The News will not condone personal attacks, off topic posts or brutish language on our site. If you find a comment that you believe violates these standards, please click the "X" in the upper right corner of the post to report it.