Defense and Compliance Attorneys
Senator Jim Justice of West Virginia has agreed to pay over $5 million to the Internal Revenue Service to settle back taxes stemming from the 2009 tax year, following a lawsuit filed by the IRS and the Justice Department on November 24, 2025.
Details of the Settlement
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The settlement resolves a dispute over unpaid federal income taxes from 2009, which has accrued interest and penalties, bringing the total amount owed by Jim Justice and his wife, Cathy, to $5,164,739.75 as of August 2025.
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The agreement was filed in federal court, but it still requires a judge’s approval for completion.
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The IRS had previously filed liens against the Justices in October for additional years, with claims totaling over $8 million, signaling the possibility of further outstanding tax issues for other years.
Political Context and Justice’s Response
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Justice has characterized the tax dispute and legal actions as politically motivated, suggesting it was connected to his ongoing Senate campaign and his opposition to the Biden administration.
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He claims, without presenting evidence, that he and his wife are owed around $40 million in pending tax refunds, and that ongoing negotiations with the IRS may ultimately result in the government owing him more than he owes.
Additional Tax Issues
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The agreement applies solely to the 2009 tax year; liens cited by the IRS and reported in recent months include claims related to subsequent years, with nearly $5 million owed for 2017 and smaller amounts for other years.
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Last month, state tax authorities placed an additional $1.36 million lien on the Greenbrier Hotel, a property operated by the Justice family.
Senator Justice’s financial and tax challenges have persisted for over a decade, and this settlement addresses only a portion of the larger tax dispute he faces.
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