The rapper had been doing time for gun possession.
He had been given two years for that offence and had completed most of the sentence before being released.
US authorities escorted the 36-year-old out of jail, although it is not yet clear whether he will have to serve more time in the tax case.
Ja Rule still has to serve some of a 28-month sentence he was carrying out at the same time for not paying his taxes.
He had been in protective custody because of his celebrity status.
According to his lawyer, Stacey Richman, the musician wants to get back to work as soon as possible to start making the £1.1m he has been ordered to pay back in taxes.
"Many people are looking forward to experiencing his talent again," added Richman.
She described him as a "devoted father" who was looking forward to his daughter's graduation.
'Choked up'
Ja Rule, whose real name is Jeffrey Atkins, had a Grammy nomination for his 2002 album 'Pain is Love' and has also starred in films including 'The Fast and the Furious' and 'Scary Movie 3'.
He went to prison in June 2011 and was given the earliest release date possible, said state correction spokeswoman Linda Foglia.
In the gun case, New York City police said they had found a loaded .40-calibre semiautomatic gun in a rear door of Ja Rule's $250,000 (£163,000) luxury car after it was stopped for speeding.
He pleaded guilty to that offence in 2010.
In March 2011 Ja Rule admitted that he had failed to pay taxes on more than $3m (£1.9m) he earned between 2004 and 2006.
"I in no way attempted to deceive the government or do anything illegal," he told the judge at the time.
"I was a young man who made a lot of money. I didn't know how to deal with these finances and I didn't have people to guide me, so I made mistakes."
GUYS, ARE YOU HIS FAN?
- Nwanah 'obj' Kenneth, Emmanuel A. Benson, Benjamin Kondom and 2 others like this.
- Maduka Stanley Ugwueze · 5 mutual friendsLet them leave guy alone joor him never try?2 hours ago · Unlike · 1
- Adinuba Simeon Chibuzo Bad guy
- Endy Edeson @Maduka, good afternoon. i guess u are his fan. i can't for him to bounce back in his career. He really rocked the stage in early 2000
- Maduka Stanley Ugwueze · 5 mutual friendsEndy i greet u jareee that was stoped how i wish these setback never occour to him by now who knows, he rocked the boat with ashanti wella iam his serious FAN. i liked his styleabout an hour ago · Unlike · 1
- Mapis Patience Ulau · 6 mutual friendsGosh...i hv bein missin ja rule 4 a long tym nw...all ma tot ws dat he is runnin away frm illumunatee nt knwin he has bein jail...
Tanz andy adeson 4 dis gudnewsabout an hour ago · Unlike · 1 - Obinna Obi Yes ooo am a serious fan of Ja Rule,Godbless the west-side niggies.LOLabout an hour ago · Unlike · 1
- Endy Edeson @mapis, u are welcome. i'm happy for him. i hope he dosen't get into trouble againabout an hour ago · Like · 3
- Maduka Stanley Ugwueze · 5 mutual friends@Endy, for me lettin me know whr ja rule dey God go make ur days smooth like butter, i have asked whr went this guy for christ sake
- Adinuba Simeon Chibuzo See his eyes. He must have smoked lots of pot before his release.about an hour ago · Like · 1
- Mapis Patience Ulau · 6 mutual friendsAmen......am his fan infact i can sing 90% of his songs.... He admitted dat he ws ignorant of payin taxes n da rst he most hv gottn gud n enuf infoabout an hour ago · Unlike · 1
- Maduka Stanley Ugwueze · 5 mutual friendsHe said he´s a young man who made alot of money cant take care of the financies nd no one to guide him oh God he was really young then they should have given him light sentence for that as for carrying unlicensed loaded gun that´s wrong.about an hour ago · Like · 1
- Emmanuel Umukoro · Friends with Yvonne OnaibeEndy tanx a lot 4 d info. God Bless u Richly.59 minutes ago · Unlike · 1
- David Oyadongha · 5 mutual friendsI'm not his fan, but i love his husky voice so much.45 minutes ago · Unlike · 1
- Endy Edeson @David, is it that you don't like rap music or you are not his fan.. tell me
- Sunday Ikechukwu · Friends with Onyinye Stelly IfeanyichukwuYes d biggest boy,
- Oshi-Eze Nkemjika Henry · Friends with Malachy OgemdiWelcome back my man
