Even for Hollywood royalty like Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, the taxman cometh — and he’s not playing around.
While their glitzy split is making headlines, what’s flying under the radar is the jaw-dropping tax bill that comes with their soon-to-be former Beverly Hills mansion.
The sprawling 38,000-square-foot estate, now listed on Zillow for a staggering $68 million, will cost its new owner more than $1,000 a day just to keep the lights on — and the government from knocking at their front gate.
Last year alone, the tax bill on the couple’s luxurious home was more than $400,000, Zillow estimated.
And here’s the kicker — California, often vilified for its high taxes, actually has a lower property tax rate than many other states. According to Bankrate, if the mansion were located in an exclusive East Coast enclave like Greenwich, Conn., the tax bill would be closer to a mind-boggling $800,000 annually.
And ponying up huge amounts to the public fund won’t be the only thing likely to make even the wealthiest homeowners wince — the property’s utility bills could be almost as onerous.
According to calculations by HomeAdvisor and the U.S. Energy and Information Administration, total estimated monthly utility costs based on the size of the home are between $5,000 and $20,000 — potentially more depending on the specific amenities and usage patterns of the mansion.
The breakdown is as follows:
- Electricity: For a mansion of this size, with extensive lighting, heating, cooling, and possibly a pool and other energy-intensive features, the electricity bill could easily range from $3,000 to $10,000 per month.
- Water: Depending on the size of the estate’s grounds, including landscaping, pools, and water features, the water bill could be anywhere from $500 to $2,000 per month.
- Gas: For heating, hot water, and potentially a large kitchen, the gas bill might range from $500 to $3,000 per month, depending on usage and the efficiency of the systems.
- Security and Maintenance: High-end security systems and regular maintenance could add another $1,000 to $5,000 monthly.
The 5-acre estate, tucked away in one of Beverly Hills’ most exclusive enclaves, is the epitome of luxury living, complete with a zero-edge pool, indoor pickleball and basketball courts, a state-of-the-art gym, and even a boxing ring.
“Recently renovated with the highest level of quality within the last 4 months,” the listing boasts, the estate is “nestled in one of Beverly Hills’s most exclusive and secure enclaves.”
The privileged pad, listed by Santiago Arana of The Agency, has already attracted more than 75,000 views on Zillow since going live.
But what the listing doesn’t mention is the rocky relationship that led to its sale.
Affleck and Lopez, who married in 2022 after rekindling their early 2000s romance, had been living apart for some time. Their marital issues began bubbling to the surface almost immediately after their honeymoon in Lake Como, Italy.
While the couple’s public displays of affection were captured by paparazzi, behind closed doors, things weren’t as picture-perfect.
“He was unhappy with paparazzi following them. She is an international superstar, and he acted like it came as a surprise that they would be followed around,” a source told.
Their honeymoon, which should have been the happiest time of their lives, was marred by tension, with the couple barely speaking to each other when the cameras weren’t rolling.
“He sold her on him being a changed man, and that lasted a very short time,” the insider revealed.
As the honeymoon glow faded, so did Affleck’s enthusiasm for the Hollywood spotlight. Another insider claimed that Affleck’s sobriety played a significant role in the couple’s unraveling.
“He was just getting sober … He was in a vulnerable state, and whatever their chemistry played into that … He was in this frenzied, excitable state,” the source said, suggesting that as Affleck’s sobriety solidified, he began to crave a quieter, more private life — something that was impossible while married to an international superstar like Lopez.
Affleck’s struggles with alcohol have been well-documented, with his last stint in rehab occurring in 2018.
But as he adjusted to the sober life, the omnipresent paparazzi and various demands of Lopez’s career reportedly began to weigh heavily on him.
“He doesn’t want [the entourage] and all the drama that comes with that in his home,” the insider said, pointing out that Affleck’s need for privacy had become a source of tension.
