Spanish court acquits Shakira in tax evasion case

Singer to be refunded €55 million

Colombian pop icon Shakira has won a high-profile legal battle against the Spanish tax authority. The National Court completely overturned the financial claims made against the artist for the year 2011, ordering the state to return more than €55 million to her.

The case centered on the star’s earnings from her massive world tour. Spanish authorities insisted that Shakira was already a tax resident at the time and was therefore required to pay taxes on her global income. However, her defense team successfully proved that the singer had not spent the mandatory 183 days in Spain during 2011 to qualify as a resident.

The artist herself opened up about the heavy toll the allegations had taken on her:

«There was no fraud. The authorities failed to prove otherwise for one simple reason – it isn’t true. Despite this, I was presumed guilty in the court of public opinion for nearly a decade. Case files were constantly leaked to the press and distorted, and my name was used as a scare tactic to intimidate other taxpayers», Shakira stated, adding that the scandal had taken a toll on her health and stripped her family of their peace of mind.

However, it is too early to celebrate a definitive victory, as the tax authority retains the right to appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court.

This is not the singer’s first run-in with the Spanish justice system. In 2023, she was found guilty of tax evasion for the period between 2012 and 2014. At the time, Shakira managed to avoid prison time by agreeing to pay a hefty fine.

Photo: Instagram @shakira