Michael Jackson's father is no longer a tax delinquent after clearing debts of over $70,000 (£43,750).

Joe Jackson reportedly began racking up years of invoices from California tax officials back in 1996, but the bills were all paid in full last Thursday (20Feb14).

However, according to editors at Tmz.com, the 85-year-old patriarch didn't even need to open his cheque book - a mystery benefactor covered the debt for him.