Lauryn Hill faces three years behind bars after admitting in court today that she failed to file tax returns for the years 2005, 2006 and 2007 when she earned more than $1.8 million.

When the judge asked if Hill "intentionally and willingly" failed to file the returns, she replied, "Yes," according to TMZ.

In addition to the 3 years in jail, the former Fugees singer could be smacked with $75,000 in fines, continues their report.

Hill was released on $150,000 bail. Her sentencing hearing is set for November.

Hill admitted she didn't pay taxes on about $818,000 earned in 2005, $222,000 in 2006 and $761,000 in 2007. The money was earned by four corporations she owned, according to Dailymail.

Dailymail also ran Hill's statement defending the allegations in a lengthy post she wrote and posted on her Tumblr page that ran earlier this month. She responded to the charges, claiming she wanted to leave mainstream society in protest against its "climate of hostility, false entitlement, manipulation, racial prejudice, sexism and ageism."

Hill also wrote: "Over-commercialization and its resulting restrictions and limitations can be very damaging and distorting to the inherent nature of the individual. I did not deliberately abandon my fans, nor did I deliberately abandon any responsibilities, but I did however put my safety, health and freedom and the freedom, safety and health of my family first over all other material concerns! I also embraced my right to resist a system intentionally opposing my right to whole and integral survival. My intention has always been to get this situation rectified. When I was working consistently without being affected by the interferences mentioned above, I filed and paid my taxes.This only stopped when it was necessary to withdraw from society, in order to guarantee the safety and well-being of myself and my family."

She also claimed in her online post that she explained herself to authorities when she was questioned previously about her failure to pay taxes, added Dailymail.

Eight-time Grammy winner Lauryn Hill shot to fame as the lead singer of The Fugees before beginning her solo career in 1998 with the critically acclaimed album "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill". She attended Columbia University and dropped out to go on tour with the Fugees and to appear in several films.

Hill disappeared from public view to raise her six children, five of whom she had with reggae singer Bob Marley's son Rohan Marley.

Tags: Lauryn Hill The Fugees