Update!

IRS: Christie Brinkley Is No Model Taxpayer

Supermodel mom gets some bad news from government bean counters

By Josh Grossberg, Baker Machado Dec 02, 2011 8:45 PMTags
Christie BrinkleyAP Photo/Mary Altaffer

Christie Brinkley's tax vacation is gonna cost her, big-time.

E! News confirms that the former Sports Illustrated hottie owes the IRS a whopping half-million dollars in back taxes.

See? Even timeless beauties can't avoid Uncle Sam.

Here's the deal:

Per a filing with the Suffolk County Clerks Office in Suffolk County, New York, the Internal Revenue Service has taken out a tax lien on the 57-year-old beauty's $30 million Bridgehampton, Long Island, estate to tune of $531,720.

According to IRS' website, Brinkley's "unpaid balance is subject to interest compounded daily and a monthly late payment penalty." In other words, she better pay up soon if she wants to avoid any additional charges.

But given that the Uptown Girl has amassed a reported $80 million fortune, it doesn't look like this little tax snafu will be much of a problem.

When asked for comment, Brinkley's publicist Claire Mercuri told E! News exclusively: "Christie Brinkley was surprised to hear today that a tax lien had been filed, and has instructed her team to resolve the matter immediately."

And there you have it.

Meanwhile, it's been a pretty good year for Christie, who made her stage debut last April starring as Roxie Hart in the long-running Broadway rival of Chicago. Christie later reprised the role in London's West End.

UPDATE: Brinkley released this statement to E! News Dec. 5:

"I consider myself very lucky to have been employed since I was 17 years old...I have never had an issue with the IRS or any tax liens in the past and I have dedicated my time to giving back  as much and as often as possible. I was surprised to learn of the tax lien filing and took immediate steps to rectify this matter, which for most people is a private matter. I discovered the tax lien was indeed the result of an error. My taxes will be paid in full by Wednesday, December 7th and I expect the tax lien to be released immediately thereafter. I regret not paying more attention to my accounting, but I have been, and remain focused on my whole family as both my parents navigate serious health issues. I am grateful for the outpouring of understanding and support I have received."