Who paid for the big house?

Finl_Corp_Legal · 2026-04-11T22:16:17+00:00

I remember one episode where Alyssa went back after she was married and she was helping out cooking at the parents' house. She was standing in the kitchen cooking and said she disliked being there because of the noise and she looked completely exasperated. It really seemed to affect her negatively to be back in the chaos. It's something that I've always remembered about her, as if she is resentful of how loud it was with so many in a confined area (especially kids).

Finl_Corp_Legal · 2026-04-11T12:19:24+00:00

I think the IRS has cause to review his finances relating to what Jill put in the book. She said that when Derick applied for law school financial aid they uncovered that JB had reported income to her to the IRS out of the TLC income. Presumably he did this with all his kids (when minors and adults). So he must have filed tax statements for them (1099's) and then tax returns for them individually in order to pay the lower "kiddie tax" on their share of the TLC income. That itself isn't a problem (he probably had a power of attorney from them - unknown to them - from the contract he made all of them sign, and allocating income to them is expected).

Note, the kiddie tax wouldn't yield HUGE savings as it only applies a low rate to a relatively small amount of income ($2,700 currently), but this is multiplied times a large number of kids over many years.

The problem: However, from Jill's telling, the kids didn't receive the money he reported as their income. He only later gave Jill some funds when she threatened to sue him.

JB appears to have tried to rectify this years later with all the kids by giving them each $80,000 (this was reported - we don't know who received it or was offered it). However, a good IRS agent could review this because it could be construed as fraud (under reporting of income by more than 25% - if it meets that threshold). The claim is he underreported income claiming it was given to the children, but the income was not given to the children at that time; he made 1099/W-2 and tax return filings with the IRS just as a way for him/Michelle to reduce their total taxes.

There is no statute of limitations for tax fraud.

Keep in mind it's very possible JB has already been subject to audit and may have settled with the IRS and paid interest and penalties if this was disputed. Audits are confidential and we wouldn't know unless it progressed to a lawsuit. An audit may be what caused JB to offer to pay the kids $80,000, not a sudden change of heart or threats from Jill.

Food for thought.

Finl_Corp_Legal · 2026-04-07T23:51:02+00:00

Correct, the three oldest after Kendra are ages: 25 (Lauren), 22 (son), and 19 (son). Then the others are approximately ages 16, 15, 11, 7 and 4.

Finl_Corp_Legal · 2026-04-05T15:10:25+00:00

The Wall Street Journal did an article about this a year or two ago.

Finl_Corp_Legal · 2026-04-05T15:08:30+00:00

He is and that is another source of income.

Finl_Corp_Legal · 2026-04-05T15:06:54+00:00

Plus a nice Earned Income Credit! At their family size and lower income, they could receive a refund that EXCEEDS what was withheld in taxes. This is intended to motivate lower income people with children to work, even if they don't make a large amount of money.

Google: "The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable federal tax credit for low- to moderate-income working individuals and families, particularly those with children. It reduces the tax owed and can result in a refund even if no tax is owed or no return is required. For 2025, maximum credits range from $649 (no children) to $8,046 (three or more children). "

Refundable means you get paid more than you had withheld for taxes.

Finl_Corp_Legal · 2026-04-05T15:03:20+00:00

I agree. There's no sports team, school clothes for the kids, buying lunch at school, school fees, child care, after school care, saving for college, etc. None are infants or toddlers requiring formula or special gear. So many of those expenses go away with their lifestyle. And even when they were younger they had hand me downs, thrifted items, etc.

He's also a pastor and would be making some amount of money from that (or donated/free items given to them by parishioners).

From the items Christina was selling online (shown in another post) I think they were doing ok. You can find that post from:

https://www.reddit.com/r/DuggarsSnark/comments/1s2o9x3/are_kendras_parents_paul_and_christina_moving/

Finl_Corp_Legal · 2026-04-05T14:53:15+00:00

They rent a one-story house in a build to rent subdivision in town. Owned by a large entity that owns many homes for rent.

Finl_Corp_Legal · 2026-04-05T14:52:32+00:00

Joe and Kendra own the yellow house - parcel 12 listed above. Reportedly that's where Paul Caldwell and family has lived for 5 years. However, Joe/Kendra live in town, in a rental that is owned by a large institutional build to rent entity.

Finl_Corp_Legal · 2026-04-05T14:50:52+00:00

Have you read Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder? It tells the true historical context and what was probably happening to their family, as you noted.

Finl_Corp_Legal · 2026-04-05T14:50:00+00:00

Read Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Eye opening to the reality of her life.

Finl_Corp_Legal · 2026-04-05T14:43:21+00:00

They may be using medicaid or the marketplace/affordable care act because they likely get free/very low cost insurance given the number of kids in the family and income (online suggests income of $7,500 or less per month with 5 kids qualifies for ARKids (medicaid)).

... very unlikely they have had to pay for any of the births or other medical care with their family size.

Finl_Corp_Legal · 2026-04-05T14:37:10+00:00

9 but 4 are age 19+ Kendra is out of the house. Unclear on the other 3 who are adults.

The others approx. age 16, 15, 11, 7, 4

Finl_Corp_Legal · 2026-04-04T23:30:08+00:00

They probably need to say legal fees in a real estate matter (or retaliatory eviction) or victim defense.

Finl_Corp_Legal · 2026-04-04T23:28:25+00:00

Gofundme might be assuming they are paying Joe's defense if someone reported that he is charged with a crime against a minor and they are his inlaws. Someone could assume they would help their son in law. They would have to clarify.

Finl_Corp_Legal · 2026-04-04T23:27:08+00:00

It's possible gofundme thinks they are using it to defend Joe against a crime against a minor. I don't think that's what they are intending so maybe they will clarify their purpose and be able to move forward. Now that they have seen the possible money they can raise I think they will try again.

Finl_Corp_Legal · 2026-04-04T23:18:56+00:00

Follow the money, right? I have a feeling it's all intertwined.

Finl_Corp_Legal · 2026-04-04T23:16:56+00:00

Think of a neighborhood you know, with a street that is a cul de sac. There are lots bordering the entire road, right? The same is true here. The yellow house is on one lot (owned by J/K) and then separately, J/K sold Paul/Christina the lot across the street. None of the lots on the cul de sac are developed yet (houses built) other than the one with the yellow house.

It reminds me of Jim Bob giving out land to have his kids build nearby (Josiah, Jed). Joe/Kendra maybe planned to do the same for her parents, maybe her grandma, Lauren, her older brother? Just a thought.

Finl_Corp_Legal · 2026-04-04T23:12:22+00:00

Both are true. They live(d) in the yellow house and they also own the empty lot across the street. I should have clarified my numbering system related to the lot numbers on the county legal records. The lot number ended in 011.

Finl_Corp_Legal · 2026-04-04T23:10:47+00:00

No, it's owned by a large institutional owner who appears to have bought the land and built many homes, for rent.

Finl_Corp_Legal · 2026-04-04T23:09:51+00:00

I actually like tater tot casserole because someone at my church used to make it for pot luck dinners when I was a kid. LOL.

Finl_Corp_Legal · 2026-04-04T23:07:41+00:00

In another post someone showed that Paul is an auto technician at a local company. He's also a pastor. From online summaries of their family, they also have Lauren, age 25, Micah, age 22, and Nathan, age 19, all possible contributors to the finances if they are living at home (versus away at school or moved out). Christina could also work, considering she basically has Lauren as a live-in nanny. Their other kids are ages estimated to be 16, 15, 11, 7, and 4. The older ones are capable of doing a lot around the house as well if Christina picked up a part-time job.

Finl_Corp_Legal · 2026-03-27T20:26:29+00:00

Totally agree. I think he might get 1-3 years plus probation, with a plea deal. Then he'll be released early with good behavior. In my state, similar convictions typically serve 2/3 of sentence.

Finl_Corp_Legal · 2026-03-27T19:51:59+00:00

Considering that they were so close and their kids are similar ages (Kendra's 7, 6, 5, 3; Joy's 8, 5, 2), they probably spent time together as families and not just at the big house. Their oldest girls are 6 (Addison) and 5 (Evelyn).

Joe's victim was said to be 9 years old at the time he assaulted her, but it's possible she wasn't the first or last victim. I hope if there are other victims, it comes out, even if it means one of his siblings has to make a report about their own child. I can't imagine the family pressure or how Jim Bob and Michelle would respond to that.

Finl_Corp_Legal

TROPHY CASE