Shakira Tax Evasion Case Set To Proceed

Written by Ciryan Achola on September 27, 2022

Pop sensation Shakira could face up to 8 years behind bars if convicted of failing to pay taxes in Spain.

The ‘Hips Don’t Lie’ singer stands accused of failing to pay $14.8 million in taxes between 2012 and 2014.

Shakira for ELLE Magazine

The Spanish Government had earlier requested the superstar to pay an additional $24.5 million in fines plus interest.

Shakira rejected a settlement deal and opted to go to trial. Earlier today, an Esplugues de Llobregat Court announced that the singer will face charges over six counts of tax fraud.

Speaking to Elle, Shakira termed this accusation as false. “I’ve paid everything they claimed I owed, even before they filed a lawsuit. So as of today, I owe zero to them.” Shakira asserted in the interview.

Shakira on Dancing With Myself

She also added that she was away for work and didn’t spend the 183 days per year in Spain during the said period.

According to the PWC, Individuals are residents in Spain for tax purposes if they spend more than 183 days in Spain during a calendar year with temporary absences included in the count, except when the tax residence in another country can be proven.

Celebrity Tax Woes

“It is well known that the Spanish tax authorities do this often not only with celebrities like me, Ronaldo, Neymar, Alonso, and many more,” She added.

Back in 2017, Messi paid a fine of €252,000 in place of a 21-month jail time he was to set to serve for his tax problems. Two years later, Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo’s four-year tax fraud case was closed after he parted with nearly 19 million euros.

Legal battles aside, Shakira’s musical journey has been exemplary. The 45-year-old Colombian has both English and Spanish hits upon hits to her name. Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup™ song, one of her many projects, has 3.250 billion views on YouTube.

Shakira with her Spotify Plaque for One billion streams for Hips Don’t Lie

Shakira was signed to Sony when she was just 13. She has a massive catalog and has reportedly sold over 80 million records.

Shakira also has a fair amount of Awards to her name. She has three Grammys, twelve Latin Grammys, four MTV Video Music Awards, seven Billboard Music Awards, thirty-nine Billboard Latin Music Awards, and six Guinness World Records. Very few singers of her repute have Guinness World Records.