Shakira Resolves $15 Million Spanish Tax Fraud Dispute, Prioritizing Family and Career
Shakira resolves $15M Spanish tax fraud dispute, prioritizing her family and professional endeavors
Shakira has resolved her case with Spanish prosecutors, who had accused her of not paying over €14.5 million (approximately $15.8 million) in taxes from 2012 to 2014.
As reported by AP News on Monday, November 20, the 46-year-old singer has reached an agreement with the Spanish government to avoid imprisonment. When asked to admit her six charges of tax fraud, Shakira responded affirmatively.
Shakira, according to AP News, will receive a suspended sentence of three years and be required to pay a fine of €7 million ($7.6 million). In a statement on Monday, Shakira expressed her decision to resolve the matter, prioritizing the well-being of her children who do not wish to witness her personal sacrifice in this battle. She emphasized the need to overcome the stress and emotional burden of the past few years and concentrate on her children, as well as the future opportunities in her career. While Shakira acknowledges and admires those who have persistently fought against these injustices, she believes that her present victory is reclaiming time for her children and career.
Shakira expressed her commitment to ethical behavior and serving as a role model, stating that throughout her career, she has always strived to do what is right. She criticized the Spanish tax authorities for targeting her, along with numerous other professional athletes and high-profile individuals. According to her, these cases not only drained their energy but also consumed their time and disrupted their peace for several years.
Spanish prosecutors in 2018 accused Shakira of committing fraud against the government. They claimed that she falsely stated her residence as the Bahamas, when in reality, she was living in Catalonia. This accusation would imply that she owed money to the Spanish government.
In a statement to Reuters in July 2022, a representative for Shakira strongly condemned the allegations as a serious infringement on her rights. The representative emphasized Shakira's decision to rely on the legal system and uphold her innocence. Later in September 2022, Shakira personally addressed the lawsuit during an interview with Elle, firmly denying the accusations.
Shakira PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images
"I never spent 183 days per year [in Spain] during that period," she stated. "I was busy fulfilling my professional obligations worldwide. Additionally, I have already settled all the claimed debts even before the lawsuit was filed. Therefore, as of today, I have no outstanding debts with them."
Following her denial, Shakira faced the end of her 12-year relationship with longtime boyfriend Gerard Piqué, with whom she has two sons, Milan (10) and Sasha (8). In the same Elle interview, she described her breakup and ongoing legal troubles as some of the most challenging and darkest moments in her life.
"It has been a challenging period not just for myself, but also for my children," she shared with Elle during that time. "Exceedingly arduous."
Despite resolving one tax evasion case with the Spanish government, Shakira recently faced another lawsuit. Officials in Barcelona accused her in September of evading payment of €6.7 million ($7.1 million) in 2018 by utilizing offshore entities in tax havens to evade taxes. (The case was initiated in July.)
