Lauryn Hill leaves court after a sentencing on federal tax evasion charges in Newark, New Jersey. REUTERS/Mike Segar
The Grammy-winning singer, 37, was sentenced in the US state of New Jersey after pleading guilty last year, BBC reports.
Hill failed to pay taxes on about $US1.8m of earnings between 2005-07.
In a statement to the judge, Hill said she intended to pay the taxes but could not after ending her music career. It is not clear when Hill will report to prison.
"I needed to be able to earn so I could pay my taxes, without compromising the health and welfare of my children, and I was being denied that," Hill told the judge in court.
Hill has six children, five of whom she had with Rohan Marley, the son of Bob Marley.
