IRS Probes Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Archwell Foundation for Tax Fraud

The IRS has officially opened a criminal investigation into Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's charitable organization, the Archwell Foundation.

This comes after reports surfaced of potential falsehoods and irregularities in their tax filings, as highlighted by the Daily Mail.

The stakes are high for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who could face severe penalties, including arrest, hefty fines, and even prison time if found guilty of tax fraud.

The foundation, established by Harry and Meghan in 2020, reportedly claimed to have worked just one hour a week in 2021 while raising over $13 million from generous donors.

This raises eyebrows, as it seems hard to believe that such a significant amount could be raised with minimal activity.

Furthermore, the IRS discovered that Archwell paid out $163,085 in salaries, which included a notable $59,846 for its CEO, James Holt—a close friend and former spokesperson for the couple.

There are serious allegations that Harry and Meghan may have misused the Archwell Foundation as a facade to divert funds toward their commercial ventures.

The IRS suspects that the couple may have inflated expenses and improperly categorized personal costs—think security, travel, and lifestyle—as charitable donations.

To dig deeper, the IRS has issued a subpoena to the Archwell Foundation, demanding access to their financial records, bank statements, and relevant correspondence.

They've also reached out to the foundation's donors, asking them to confirm their contributions and provide receipts to ensure transparency.

The gravity of the situation is not lost on experts.

A former IRS agent, speaking anonymously, emphasized that this case is particularly serious.

If convicted, Harry and Meghan could face substantial penalties, as tax fraud is a federal offense that can lead to a maximum of five years in prison and fines reaching $250,000 for each count.

Depending on the investigation's findings, they could be charged with multiple counts of fraud.

Additionally, the couple might face civil penalties, which could include back taxes, interest, and other fees that might total millions.

The potential loss of their tax-exempt status could also tarnish their image as philanthropists, a reputation they have fought hard to build.

This case is undeniably high-profile, and the IRS is known for its aggressive stance on tax evasion, especially when it involves celebrities.

The agency aims to send a clear message: no one is above the law, and everyone must pay their fair share.

Given Harry and Meghan's controversial public personas, the IRS's pursuit could be seen as an effort to expose what some view as hypocrisy.

While Harry and Meghan have yet to publicly address the IRS investigation, sources close to them have vehemently denied any wrongdoing.

They claim the investigation is biased and amounts to harassment, alleging that it is part of a larger smear campaign orchestrated by adversaries, including British tabloids, the royal family, and even figures from the Trump administration.

As the investigation unfolds, the world watches closely.