Blade star Wesley Snipes has lost his appeal against a three-year jail sentence for tax evasion in 2008.

The 47-year-old actor was told at the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta that the maximum prison term he was given for was appropriate because of the "serious" amount of debt he owed to the US government.

"The district court acted well within its considerable discretion in sentencing Snipes to thirty-six months in prison," appeal judges wrote.

"If the defendant's crime were not 'serious' because the tax loss was minor and if his criminal history so warranted, the guidelines would advise a sentence of probation.

"In contrast, if the tax loss were high and thus more 'serious' and 'harmful to the treasury,' as it was in this case, the guidelines would advise a longer sentence."

The Hollywood star had hoped to have the his conviction dismissed, or have a new trial on the grounds of a technicality.

"Obviously we are extremely disappointed by the decision," said Snipes' lawyer. "We have not digested fully all of their opinion."

The case would now be forwarded to a district judge, who will give the Snipes a date on which he will have to surrender himself into authorities, according to Assistant US Attorney Robert O'Neill.