SHORT TAKES : Willie Stops Wailin’ Over Taxes

WASHINGTON — Country music star Willie Nelson can get the IRS off his mind after agreeing to pay $6.5 million in personal and business taxes and penalties under a settlement approved by a U.S. Tax Court judge.

Nelson, 57, was penalized under sections of the Tax Code regarding negligence, failure to file a tax return and failure to pay taxes, documents made available Thursday show. Judge Mary Ann Cohen approved the settlement June 6.

His tax trouble began in October, 1984, when Internal Revenue Service investigators alleged he owed $1.6 million in back taxes for 1972 through 1978. In May, 1988, the IRS charged he owed another $9.4 million for 1979 through 1983. The IRS assessed hundreds of thousands of dollars in penalties both times.