RHONJ’s Teresa Giudice Pays Off $480K in Back Taxes

Credit: Charles Sykes/Bravo

Teresa Giudice may have just paid off a past-due tax balance of $480,291.20 to the State of New Jersey, but she still owes a whopping $615,720.94 to the federal government.

As the Real Housewives of New Jersey star attempts to pay off her debt a decade after she and her ex-husband, Joe Giudice, spent time behind bars for bankruptcy fraud, Teresa, 51, is said to be continuing to refuse to speak to her sister-in-law, Melissa Gorga, amid filming on the series’ upcoming 14th season.

“The drama has shifted from Melissa and Teresa to the other cast because there is no drama between Melissa and Teresa since they are not talking whatsoever,” an insider explained to The U.S. Sun on October 2.

As Teresa and Melissa refuse “to speak to each other,” even when they are at the same events, producers are doing their best to zone in on other drama among their talent.

“Producers have to still make a show that’s entertaining and need the ratings, so they’re pulling strings to make it work,” the source shared, adding that Teresa and Melissa “did not speak or say one word to each other” during a recent group event.

Some of the other topics that producers are focusing on are Danielle Cabral, 38, and Jennifer Aydin‘s fight, which resulted in an investigation, and Jackie Goldschneider, 47, and Margaret Josephs‘ feud, which Jackie recently confirmed on Watch What Happens Live — and which allegedly led Jackie and Teresa to make amends.

“Teresa took it as a good opportunity to recruit Jackie to her side after her falling out with Margaret,” a source revealed. “Melissa and Jackie are still friends, but it’s caused tension since Melissa is super close to Margaret.”

Producers have also allegedly brought on a few newbies, including Kayla Giovinazzo, Jessica Kiraly, and Tiffany Chantell-Rosania.

As for Teresa’s tax debt, The U.S. Sun revealed on October 3 that she paid $480,291.20 to New Jersey, but she still owes $615,720.94 after facing a $1,096,012.14 balance.

Last month, the outlet confirmed that a couple of Release of Federal Tax Liens were issued for both Teresa, who has been married to Luis Ruelas, 48, since August 2022, and Joe in the amount of $243,425.50, which stemmed from 2014. They also released one in the amount of $219,804.38 for 2015.

Earlier this year, the same document was issued to Teresa in the amount of $17,061.32 for 2020 and 2021. But she and Joe still owe a Federal Tax Lien for $64,157.64 for 2016 and 2017, and $551,563.30 for 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2013.

Today, their total owed is $615,720.94.

In June, Teresa’s lawyer issued a statement about her tax debt, saying, “Ms. Giudice has been aware of her tax obligations for years and makes significant timely monthly payments towards her outstanding tax liabilities and will continue to do so until those liabilities do not exist.”

Following her and Joe’s 2013 bankruptcy fraud case, Teresa was ordered to pay $414,588 in restitution and $8,000 in fines, and she did so by February 2022.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey season 14 is expected to premiere on Bravo sometime in early 2024.