Hollywood actress Tori Spelling's financial troubles continue to mount, even after finalizing her divorce from Dean McDermott in November 2025, with new court documents exposing a shared $1.7 million tax debt that demands ongoing cooperation between the exes. The filings show Spelling has also shouldered $350,000 in personal loans, adding to the pressure as she navigates sporadic income from acting and podcasting, while the IRS claims over $1.2 million in unpaid federal taxes alone.
This latest revelation, emerging just weeks after the divorce settlement, highlights the lingering financial entanglements that keep the former couple linked, despite their efforts to part amicably and focus on co-parenting their five children.
Divorce Finalized, But Financial Ties Remain
Tori Spelling, now 52, and Dean McDermott separated quietly in June 2023 before she filed for divorce in March 2024, culminating in a settlement that avoided spousal support battles and emphasized a peaceful co-parenting arrangement for their kids.
On her misSPELLING podcast, Spelling shared that the process felt remarkably straightforward compared to many Hollywood splits, noting how they sidestepped typical drama to prioritize family stability after years of ups and downs in their marriage. However, the court's recent order mandates joint responsibility for the massive tax obligations, ensuring their financial paths remain crossed for years ahead, a detail that adds an unexpected layer to what she called a "drama-free uncoupling."
Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott make a glamorous appearance on the red carpet, showcasing their signature Hollywood style before their split.
The $1.7 Million IRS Debt
Court papers detail a combined debt exceeding $1.7 million in federal and state taxes, with the IRS portion totaling about $1.2 million and the remainder owed to California's Franchise Tax Board, stemming from unresolved filings over recent years. Both Spelling and McDermott must now handle payments individually yet collaboratively, a setup complicated by their inconsistent earnings, as Spelling relies on project-based work like her Beverly Hills, 90210 legacy and current media ventures, while McDermott's career has seen slower momentum lately.
This shared burden, without any alimony provisions, stands out as unusual for a high-profile divorce, forcing a level of teamwork that echoes their past partnership despite the emotional closure.
From Heiress to Debt-Laden Reality
Growing up as the daughter of iconic TV producer Aaron Spelling, Tori enjoyed a life of luxury and opportunity that shaped her early career, yet today's realities paint a different picture, marked by mounting debts and the need for careful financial planning amid Hollywood's unpredictable landscape.
The addition of those $350,000 personal loans underscores the challenges she faces, transitioning from inherited privilege to managing real-world obligations that have accumulated through lifestyle choices, irregular income streams, and previous financial missteps reported in media over the years. It's a story that resonates with many, showing how even those from affluent backgrounds can encounter setbacks that demand resilience and adaptation.
What This Means for Tori Spelling’s Financial Future
With the divorce behind her but the tax debt looming large, Spelling's path forward involves strategic budgeting and income diversification to meet IRS deadlines, as experts warn that delays could trigger hefty penalties and interest, further straining her resources in an industry known for its feast-or-famine nature.
Her recent podcast success and potential acting gigs offer hope for stability, yet the requirement to coordinate with McDermott adds complexity, potentially testing their amicable post-divorce dynamic over time. Analysts suggest she might explore endorsements or new media projects to bolster her finances, turning this chapter into an opportunity for reinvention while maintaining her public image as a relatable figure in the spotlight.
Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott pose with their children on the red carpet. Despite their divorce, the former couple must collaborate financially to tackle a $1.7M IRS bill, showing how intertwined their family and finances remain.
Digging Deeper: Your Questions Answered
How Did Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott Accumulate This Tax Debt?
Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott's $1.7 million tax debt built up over several years due to unpaid federal and state filings, as revealed in their divorce documents, with factors like high living expenses, inconsistent Hollywood incomes, and prior financial strains contributing to the total. Reports from earlier in their marriage, including tax liens from 2016 onward, indicate a pattern of deferred payments that escalated with interest, and the recent settlement splits responsibility evenly, requiring them to address it jointly to avoid further IRS actions like asset seizures or wage garnishments, a common outcome for unresolved debts in celebrity cases.
What Is Tori Spelling's Current Net Worth and How Has It Changed?
Estimates place Tori Spelling's net worth around negative $200,000 in early 2026, a sharp decline from her peak during the Beverly Hills, 90210 era, influenced by decades of extravagant spending, multiple moves, and supporting a large family without steady blockbuster roles. Her inheritance from father Aaron Spelling was reportedly modest compared to expectations, and recent ventures like her podcast have started to rebuild her finances, though the tax debt and loans continue to weigh heavily, prompting her to seek more lucrative opportunities in reality TV or branding to shift toward positive territory over the next few years.
How Are Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott Handling Co-Parenting Post-Divorce?
Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott have committed to a cooperative co-parenting approach for their five children—Liam, Stella, Hattie, Finn, and Beau—focusing on open communication and shared events to minimize disruption, as Spelling discussed in recent podcast episodes emphasizing mutual respect despite past tensions.
McDermott's new relationship hasn't derailed this, with both parents prioritizing therapy and family time, and court agreements outline joint custody without major conflicts, allowing the kids to thrive while the exes navigate their separate lives, a model that's drawn praise for its maturity in Hollywood circles, especially in updates from December 2025 highlighting their "easy and loving" dynamic.
Bottom Line
Tori Spelling's case serves as a compelling example that fame doesn't shield anyone from financial pitfalls, as she and Dean McDermott tackle millions in shared debt following their November 2025 divorce settlement. While she highlights the positive aspects of their split on her podcast, the ongoing IRS obligations reveal a more tangled reality, one that will likely shape her decisions for years to come as she balances career ambitions, family life, and the push toward true independence.
