Lauryn Hill Tax Evasion UPDATE: Former Fugees Member Signs $1M Deal With Sony To Pay IRS

For Lauryn Hill, it turns out writing on of the greatest albums of all time can really help you out when you are in a jam. (Also, if you don't know what album I'm referring to SHAME ON YOU). Sony has stepped up to help Lauryn Hill in her hour of need, providing her with a $1M contract to help her settle her tax evasion case, pay her back taxes and fines to the IRS and avoid jail time.

Last year, Hill was charged with tax evasion for failing to pay on $1.8M in income that she received from 2005 to 2007. She pled guilty. The Grammy-winning singer and former Fugee promised to pay up to $554,000 in restitution before her sentencing came around. She has paid around $50,000 so far. A federal judge gave her two more weeks to come up with the money before sentencing.

"This is not someone who stands before the court penniless," said United States Magistrate Judge Madeline Cox Arleo, according to the New York Times . "This is a criminal matter. Actions speak louder than words, and there has been no effort here to pay these taxes."

Nathan Hotchman, an attorney for Hill, said that the singer would come up with the money by borrowing money against two of her homes. Now, it appears she won't have to.

The contract from Sony Music gives Hill $1M to craft 5 songs and provides additional money for Hill to create a new album. While the money will certainly help Hill, it also appears  that the company is banking on the success of a release from Hill, who hasn't had a new studio release since 1998's The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.

What do you think? Are you glad Lauryn Hill's tax evasion troubles appear to be over? Are you excited at the prospect of new music from Hill?