Lauryn Hill reportedly has signed a new record deal that could help her with her tax problems. Last year, the singer was charged for failing to file three years worth of taxes, and earlier this month U.S. Magistrate Judge Madeline Cox Arleo postponed sentencing while also criticizing the rapper-singer by saying “there has been no effort here to pay these taxes.” According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney District of New Jersey, the singer had a gross income of more than about $222,000 in 2006; her new deal could allow her to make good on some of her obligations. Hill apparently plans to launch a label and work on new music for Sony. She hasn’t released a studio album with new music since her 1998 smash The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.  Representatives for Hill didn’t return a request for comment. A Sony representative didn’t return a request for comment. A statement about her new deal was posted on Hill’s Tumblr. Take a look:

It has been reported that I signed a new record deal, and that I did this to pay taxes. Yes, I have recently entered into an agreement with Sony Worldwide Entertainment, to launch a new label, on which my new music will be released. And yes, I am working on new music.