Actor Wesley Snipes seen in New York in this March 20, 2006 file photo. Snipes, star of the "Blade" movie series, was charged with tax fraud in an indictment that alleges he illegally claimed refunds of
almost $12 million. Photo Credit: REUTERS/Keith Bedford
Washington, Nov 3 (ANI): Hollywood action star Wesley Snipes has struck a deal with the Internal Revenue Service authorities that will see him avoid a jail term for allegedly dodging millions of dollars in taxes.
The agreement will see Snipes surrendering himself to federal authorities when he next returns to America. In return for agreeing to a payment plan, the actor will not face a jail term, and will be allowed to continue working and to travel abroad.
Snipes tried to unsuccessfully claim nearly 12 million dollars in false refunds for taxes he paid in 1996 and 1997. The Blade star had his taxes prepared by accountants with a history of filing false returns to reap payments for their clients.
He is currently in Namibia shooting the horror film Gallowwalker.
"We have been in contact with his representatives and are making progress as far as getting him to return to the U.S to face criminal charges," E!Online quoted Steve Cole of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Tampa as saying.
"No timetable has been set," he added.
Snipes will also be filming Chasing the Dragon, in which he plays a FBI agent in Asia on the trail of a drug lord. (ANI)