Britney Spears and her ex-husband Kevin Federline are in trouble with U.S. officials after allegedly failing to hand over more than $37,000 (£23,125) in taxes.

State authorities in California filed a lien against the former couple on Tuesday (27Nov12) in relation to unpaid income tax from 2004, the year they wed.

Officials at The California Franchise Tax Board allege the Toxic hitmaker and her former partner, who parted ways in 2006, owe $37,712 (£23,570), according to documents obtained by Tmz.com.