Chicago Rapper Twista Pleads Guilty to $440,000 Tax Evasion Charges

Chicago’s rapid‑fire MC Twista—real name Carl Terrell Mitchell—stepped into a courtroom on June 28, 2026, and admitted to five federal counts of willfully failing to pay income taxes for the years 2019 through 2023.

The plea was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Prosecutors said Mitchell used a third‑party company to receive advances on future royalties. The IRS alleged that the arrangement was designed to keep the money out of the reach of tax levies. According to the agency, the advances were not treated as taxable income.

In addition to the five years of debt, the government claims that Mitchell has unpaid tax liabilities dating back to 2011. The IRS contends that the rapper used the funds to purchase at least four luxury vehicles and to support a lifestyle that exceeded his reported income.

Twista’s career began in the mid‑1990s, and he first attracted national attention with the 1997 single “Po Pimp.” His 2004 album Kamikaze topped the Billboard 200, and the single “Slow Jamz,” a collaboration with Kanye West and Jamie Foxx, became a hit. Over the course of his career, he has earned two Grammy nominations.

The IRS Criminal Investigation division, the agency’s law‑enforcement arm, said it will pursue all individuals who willfully refuse to pay taxes, regardless of fame. “If you willfully refuse to pay your taxes, we’ll follow the money and bring you to justice,” a spokesperson for the Chicago field office said.

Mitchell’s sentencing is scheduled for October 22, 2026. Each count carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison, but the final penalty will be determined by a federal judge.

The case highlights the IRS’s ongoing focus on high‑income individuals and entertainers who have been accused of using sophisticated arrangements to avoid tax obligations. The agency’s annual report notes a conviction rate for federal tax prosecutions that has never fallen below 90 percent.

The plea agreement does not include a plea bargain for a reduced sentence; it simply acknowledges the five counts of willful failure to pay taxes. No additional charges have been announced.

The case is the latest in a series of tax‑related prosecutions involving public figures, underscoring the IRS’s willingness to investigate and prosecute individuals who use third‑party arrangements to shield income from tax authorities.

The outcome of the sentencing will be closely watched by industry observers, as it may influence how other entertainers manage their tax affairs.

For now, Twista faces the possibility of up to five years in federal prison and a substantial financial penalty.