Tori Spelling Hit with $1.3M Tax Shock as Divorce Ends 17-Year Marriage

Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott Finalize Divorce — and Uncover a $1.3 Million Tax Crisis

After nearly 20 years together, five kids, and a marriage lived entirely in the public eye, Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott have officially ended their relationship. But the closing of one long chapter has opened another — and this one comes with a financial shock that few could have predicted

Newly filed court documents reveal that the former couple is buried under more than $1.3 million in unpaid federal and state taxes, a debt that spans years and involves multiple agencies.

Filed in Los Angeles Superior Court and first reported by FOX News Digital, the documents outline a tangled web of overdue balances, loans, and interest — painting a far messier financial picture than fans ever realized.

A Massive Tax Bill — Split 50/50

According to the judgment, Spelling, 52, and McDermott, 59, owe:

• $1.2 million to the IRS

• Over $500,000 to the California Franchise Tax Board

Because the debts accumulated during their marriage, the total will be divided evenly. That leaves each responsible for at least $600,000 in federal taxes, plus half the state bill.

This revelation arrives just weeks after Spelling said on her misSPELLING podcast that the divorce had been “one of the easiest divorces in Hollywood.” But the financial fallout tells a very different story.

More Debts Beneath the Surface

The tax bill is just the beginning.

The divorce filings also reveal a stack of lingering debts, including:

• $37,000 owed to American Express

• Nearly $400,000 owed to City National Bank — a decade-old loan inflated heavily by interest

Additional personal debts include:

For Tori:

• $288,000 to a private lender

• $69,000 to another

• $10,228 in unpaid medical expenses

For Dean:

• $22,000 in student loans

• $20,609 in medical bills

Rumors about their finances have been circulating for years, but these documents confirm just how significantly the couple had been struggling behind closed doors.

Income Gaps Come Into Focus

A recent declaration from McDermott adds context to the financial imbalance.

He reported earning $3,800 per month, citing the industry strikes and limited job opportunities.
Spelling’s income, by contrast, fluctuates dramatically — anywhere from $3,000 to $75,000 a month depending on her workload and availability.

It’s a stark reminder of how unpredictable Hollywood careers can be, even for household names.

A Turbulent Marriage, But a Surprisingly Smooth Split

Spelling and McDermott announced their separation in June 2023 after 17 years of marriage. She filed for divorce nine months later.

Despite years of public turmoil — arguments, reality TV meltdowns, financial instability, and long-running tabloid scrutiny — Spelling insists the divorce process itself was unexpectedly calm

On her podcast, she reflected:

“We had problems throughout our marriage, but we’ve had absolutely no problems throughout the divorce.”

She credited their peaceful approach to their shared commitment to their children:

“It’s a testament to the two of us… wanting to be there for the five humans we created out of love.”

The former couple shares:

• Liam, 18

• Stella, 17

• Hattie, 14

• Finn, 13

• Beau, 8

McDermott also has a 27-year-old son, Jack, from a previous relationship.

A New Beginning — With a Heavy Price Tag

Emotionally, Spelling says the divorce has been manageable. Financially, the hard work is just beginning.

Between the massive tax debt, old loans, personal liabilities, legal fees, and the ongoing cost of raising five children, both she and McDermott face years — if not decades — of financial recovery.

Though she appeared “downcast” in her first public sighting after the settlement, Spelling told listeners that finalizing the divorce felt like “a new beginning.”

Still, one thing is clear:
The end of their marriage carries a price that will follow both of them far into the next chapter of their lives.