Matthew Perry’s estate has received a significant federal tax bill for unpaid taxes from the year before his death, according to reports. The claim demands more than $67,000, presenting a new development in the actor’s ongoing financial and legal affairs.
The California State Franchise Tax Board filed a creditor claim on November 6, seeking $67,492.91. This amount primarily stems from a $223,988 tax debt from 2022.
Perry also faced $8,596 in penalties. While payments totaling $173,423 were made, a remaining balance of $67,468 was cited. The Board also noted a smaller $24.60 debt on his 2023 bill.
This claim surfaces months after Lisa Ferguson, the executor of Perry’s estate, informed the court that all financial matters had been finalized. In October 2024, Ferguson filed a final accounting.
The report indicated Perry left assets totaling $1,159,914.47. However, most of Perry’s wealth was held in the "Alvy Singer Living Trust" and not reflected in Ferguson’s direct accounting.
Ferguson had previously stated in court that she received no creditor claims. She added that any outstanding debts were handled outside of court. "The estate is solvent," Ferguson affirmed at the time.
Regarding federal taxes, Ferguson’s lawyer noted that an extension was requested for the federal estate tax return. Sufficient payments were made for estimated taxes, with the belief that all taxes had been paid in full.
The lawyer further stated that Ferguson would pay any additional estate taxes as the trustee of the Alvy Singer Living Trust.
Beneficiaries of Perry’s estate include his father, John Perry, his mother, Suzanne Morrison, and his ex-girlfriend, Rachel Dunn. His half-sisters Emily Morrison, Caitlin Morrison, Madeline Morrison, and Maria Perry, along with Will Morrison, are also listed.
In April, Ferguson successfully petitioned for the probate case to be closed. She also received $28,000 to cover legal fees related to the case.
Matthew Perry died on October 28, 2023, at the age of 54. He was found unresponsive in the hot tub at his Los Angeles mansion.
The coroner later determined his cause of death was the "acute effects of ketamine." The report specified that the ketamine led to cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression.
Authorities launched an investigation into how Perry obtained the ketamine. He was found to have acquired it from multiple sources, including a woman named Jasveen Sangha, allegedly known as "The Ketamine Queen" by prosecutors.
In August 2024, charges were announced against five individuals believed to be involved in Perry’s death. These included Sangha, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, Dr. Mark Chavez, Perry’s assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, and Erik Fleming.
Sangha pleaded guilty to five charges in September and awaits sentencing. Chavez accepted a plea deal in June and is expected to plead guilty to specific charges. Plasencia, Iwamasa, and Fleming have also pleaded guilty.
As part of the investigation, Brooke Mueller, Charlie Sheen’s ex-wife, was questioned by authorities. Mueller and Perry reportedly met in rehabilitation and maintained a friendly relationship. She was never charged with any crime and cooperated fully.
Separately, Jennifer Aniston, Perry’s former Friends co-star, recently stated that a reunion of the series would be "impossible" without him. "It would be literally, physically impossible," Aniston told Harper’s Bazaar in October.
Aniston reflected on his struggles, saying, "It’s heartbreaking that he had so many demons." She added, "But boy, for someone with so much internal struggle, he sure made us laugh a lot, and that was everything to him."
Following his tragic passing, Aniston and the rest of the Friends cast—Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer—issued a joint statement.
"We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew," their statement read. "We were more than just castmates. We are a family. There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss."