IRS goes after Anna Nicole Smith's estate for back taxes owed Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP Anna Nicole Smith, who died in 2007, owes nearly $300,000 in back taxes. It looks like tax troubles follow you even after death, unfortunately. Although Anna Nicole Smith passed away in 2007, the IRS is still after the former reality star for some hefty back taxes owed from previous years. But what can they really do? They take over your stuff, that's what. IRS filed a lien against Smith's estate this week in Los Angeles Superior Court for the $289,123.48 they are seeking in back taxes from the estate. This isn't the first time legal issues have stuck around after Smith's death. In June of last year, Larry Birkhead was faced with the results of the battle between the estate of the late Playboy Playmate, of which daughter Dannielynn is the sole heir, and that of her late oil baron husband's estate. Gallery from E: Tax troubles