Public scrutiny peaked in June 2015, when federal filings exposed that the IRS had filed a $470,000 tax lien against Gilbert for unpaid federal income taxes spanning the years 2011 through 2013. The state of California followed with an additional lien of roughly $112,000.
Sensational headlines quickly framed the situation as financial ruin. Gilbert directly countered the gossip, explaining that the shortfall stemmed from a cluster of real-world crises: a sudden drop in acting opportunities during the Great Recession, painful divorce settlements, and lingering medical leaves.
Rather than filing for bankruptcy, Gilbert established a formal payment agreement with federal and state revenue authorities. By 2020, she had completely paid off her government obligations.
Her personal life also found stability. In 2013, Gilbert married Emmy-winning actor and director Timothy Busfield. Both arrived with past debts and Hollywood scars, choosing to exit Southern California entirely. The couple deliberately opted out of the high-overhead lifestyle of Los Angeles, relocating initially to Michigan and later establishing their permanent roots in rural New York.
