A prominent Jacksonville pastor and his wife owe the federal government more than $1.8 million in unpaid taxes, according to a recent Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax lien filed in Duval County.

The federal lien was filed against Bishop Rudolph McKissick, Jr. and his wife, Kimberly McKissick, who serve as pastors at The Bethel Church.

Federal tax lien documents dated April 28, 2026 show the McKissicks owe more than $1.8 million for tax years 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Leihernst Lamarre, a Jacksonville tax attorney, said the IRS typically does not issue liens until a taxpayer owes a significant balance and has not resolved the debt.

“It happens when a taxpayer owes a balance to the IRS and they have not made any attempts to enter into a resolution to pay off the balance in a timely manner or they have failed to communicate whatsoever. Depending on the actual balance is when the tax lien will be actually sent out and attached overall, that threshold normally is about $50,000,” Lamarre explained.

Records obtained by First Coast News show the couple has also received previous federal tax liens over the past decade. Those notices include:

A 2011 lien totaling more than $300,000.

A 2014 lien totaling more than $500,000.

A 2017 lien totaling more than $100,000.

A 2018 lien totaling more than $290,000.

A 2021 lien totaling more than $160,000.

Lamarre said a lien can be released if it is paid in full, but the amount listed on a lien notice does not necessarily reflect the full balance owed.

“You do have to call the IRS and get what is called the payoff amount. That payoff amount will let you know the exact amount that is needed, including penalties and interest, because penalties and interest are being added and accumulated daily,” Lamarre explained.

Despite the lien, Lamarre said The Bethel Church should not face financial consequences because the filing is against the individuals rather than the church.

“From what I can see here on the lien, the lien is attached to the individuals so the church would be insulated. The church should not have an issue related to this as far as losing assets or assets being seized upon or anything like that. Now as an attorney, there’s always a caveat, there’s always an exemption there may be certain facts or circumstances that I’m not privy to,” Lamarre said.

First Coast News reached out to the McKissicks and The Bethel Church for comment, but no one has responded yet.

Lamarre also noted the IRS generally has 10 years from the date taxes are assessed to collect the tax debt and any associated penalties. According to the IRS, that collection period can be suspended or extended under certain circumstances.