Chicago rapper Twista, born Carl Mitchell, has admitted in federal court that he failed to pay his taxes for years, pleading guilty Tuesday to five counts of willfully failing to pay income taxes, according to court records. The 52-year-old Crete resident acknowledged he did not pay income taxes for tax years 2019 through 2023, while prosecutors say his unpaid tax liabilities stretch back further and now top $440,000 dating to 2011. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 22, 2026, and each misdemeanor count technically carries a maximum of one year in jail. The plea resolves the criminal case in federal court but does not wipe away separate civil collection efforts by the IRS.
Prosecutors say he hid royalties and kept spending
Federal prosecutors say Mitchell repeatedly brushed off warnings from the IRS and from his own accountants, even as his tax debt piled up. Instead of settling with the government, they say he entered into agreements with a third-party company to take advances on future royalty payments, a move prosecutors argue placed money out of easy reach for tax collectors. Authorities also allege that during the same period he bought at least four luxury vehicles rather than paying down what he owed, and that his sentencing is set for Oct. 22, 2026, according to FOX 32 Chicago. Those allegations were laid out in court filings and summarized in open court at the plea hearing.
Federal misdemeanor but meaningful exposure
Mitchell pleaded guilty to misdemeanor counts of willfully failing to pay tax, an offense that under federal law can bring up to one year in jail per count and potential fines. Judges typically weigh the size of the tax loss, a defendant's acceptance of responsibility, and the federal sentencing guidelines before deciding on a final punishment. The charge falls under 26 U.S.C. § 7203, which covers willful failure to file, provide required information, or pay tax, and the Justice Department's Criminal Tax Manual spells out how prosecutors calculate loss and approach sentencing in these kinds of cases. On paper the statutory maximum is significant, but the real outcome will depend on guideline calculations and the judge's discretion.
Officials respond
Adam Jobes, special agent in charge of IRS Criminal Investigation's Chicago Field Office, did not sugarcoat his reaction. "Too many honest Americans work hard, pay their taxes, and do the right thing to tolerate someone who believes the rules don't apply to them," he said, in a statement reported by FOX 32 Chicago. Jobes and federal prosecutors pointed out that both the IRS and Mitchell's accountants had flagged the mounting debt before the government moved to criminal charges. The agency framed the case as a straightforward example of what happens when voluntary compliance breaks down.
What comes next
Mitchell is scheduled to return to federal court for sentencing on Oct. 22, 2026, where a judge will decide whether he serves time, pays fines, or both. On top of any criminal sentence, the court can order restitution, and the IRS can keep using civil tools such as liens and levies to chase the unpaid balance. The guilty plea closes the criminal chapter but does not stop the IRS from collecting what it says is still owed, a point underscored by guidance from IRS Criminal Investigation. For Chicago fans and neighbors, the case is a reminder that performance checks and royalty streams come with the same tax rules that apply to everyone else.
