Beanie Sigel -- 2 Years in Prison for Screwing Uncle Sam

Rapper Beanie Sigel has been sentenced to spend two years behind bars for stiffing the IRS out of more than $700k in back taxes.

Sigel -- who's worked with some of the biggest names in rap including Jay-Z and Snoop -- had previously pled guilty to not filing federal tax returns for the years 2003, 2004 and 2005.

During today's sentencing hearing in U.S District Court in Philadelphia ... Beanie told the judge he accepts "total responsibility" ... but griped about family members who allegedly spent him dry while he was serving time for drug and gun crimes back in 2004 and 2005.

"I haven't been able to get my career back on track since" ... Sigel told the court.

Beanie has until Sept. 12 to surrender to authorities to begin his sentence.