Fat Joe began his four-month prison sentence for tax evasion today. Joe, 43, pleaded guilty to charges last December and was sentenced earlier this month. 

The Bronx native tweeted out a goodbye message this morning, promising a return in time for New Year's Eve. "FARE WELL MY PEOPLE IM BOUT TO TAKE THAT RIDE SEE U AT DIDDYS HOUSE FOR NEW YEARS#GODWILLINGINSHALLAH," he wrote. 

He asserts that the financial mishap (not paying taxes on $3 million worth of income between 2007 and 2010) was a result of bad accounting. With penalties and late fees, he ended up paying the government over $1 million on a $718,038 debt, in addition to the jail sentence.  

Before checking into prison, Joe debuted his The Darkside 3 release, a free 10-track album featuring production from DJ Premier, 9th Wonder, Cool & Dre, and more.  

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(Photo: Rob Kim/Getty Images)