Half Pint's big debt! Little House On The Prairie star Melissa Gilbert 'owes the IRS $360K in unpaid taxes'

By Laurel Brown for MailOnline

Published: 06:08 EST, 12 June 2015 | Updated: 06:34 EST, 13 June 2015

Melissa Gilbert is deeply in debt to the IRS.

The 51-year-old actress best-known for her starring role as Laura Ingalls on the television series, Little House On The Prairie, owes $360,000 to the IRS, according to The Detroit News.

Spanning three years of unpaid income taxes, Melissa and husband Timothy Busfield, 58, have had to set up an installment agreement to pay what they owe to the federal government.

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In debt: Melissa Gilbert (above in January) owes more than $360,000 to the IRS in unpaid taxes

In debt: Melissa Gilbert (above in January) owes more than $360,000 to the IRS in unpaid taxes

'Like so many people across the nation, the recession hit me hard,' Melissa told the Detroit News in a statement on Friday.

'That, plus a divorce and a dearth of acting opportunities the last few years, created a perfect storm of financial difficulty for me.'

During the period covered by Melissa's tax lien, the actress had a stint on Dancing With The Stars - placing fifth in season 14 - and divorced her second husband, actor Bruce Boxleitner.

Long-term fame: Starting in 1974, Melissa starred in Little House On The Prairie as Laura Ingalls

Long-term fame: Starting in 1974, Melissa starred in Little House On The Prairie as Laura Ingalls

Timothy, who married Melissa in April 2013, said that the debt came from 'the housing crash and divorce in the past.'

'It's unfortunate and it's been happening a lot. It's not a big deal,' he added.

The unpaid tax debt comes from the years 2011, 2012, and 2013 and add up to create a tax lien of $360,551 against the actress once called Half Pint on Little House.

Melissa - who lives in Livingston County, Michigan - also has had more than $100,000 in tax liens against her in the state of California since 2013.

Plans: Along with husband Timothy Busfield (right in December 2012), Melissa has arranged to pay off her IRS debt in instalments

Plans: Along with husband Timothy Busfield (right in December 2012), Melissa has arranged to pay off her IRS debt in instalments

'I've set up an instalment 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,' the actress said in her statement.

Both Melissa and her husband have been working recently, with the two guest-starring on the April 27 episode of The Night Shift, which Timothy also directed.

Timothy, an Emmy-winning actor, has additionally had recurring roles on Sleepy Hollow and Secrets And Lies (in which Melissa also appeared) within the past year.

Costly divorce: One of the reasons for her debt was Melissa's 2011 divorce from Bruce Boxleitner (left in 2010)

Costly divorce: One of the reasons for her debt was Melissa's 2011 divorce from Bruce Boxleitner (left in 2010)

Lack of work: At the same time, Melissa had trouble finding work - a stint on Dancing With The Stars in 2012 was one of her only jobs at the time

Lack of work: At the same time, Melissa had trouble finding work - a stint on Dancing With The Stars in 2012 was one of her only jobs at the time

 

 

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