Shakira, a renowned Colombian pop star, recently resolved a tax fraud case in Spain by agreeing to pay a fine of approximately $8.1 million. The case, which has been in the spotlight since early this year, involved allegations that Shakira did not pay taxes on her income between 2012 and 2014, amounting to millions of dollars.
According to Reuters, The controversy centered around Shakira’s residency during this period. Spanish law requires individuals residing in the country for more than six months to pay taxes. Prosecutors claimed that Shakira lived in Spain but declared her official residence elsewhere. Shakira, known for hits like “Hips Don’t Lie,” countered that she spent significant time touring internationally and was not primarily based in Spain.
In July, documents revealed that Shakira had bought a house in Barcelona in 2012, which she shared with her then-boyfriend Gerard Pique. This led to accusations of tax fraud totaling $16.2 million. Prosecutors threatened a potential eight-year prison sentence and a $26 million fine if she was found guilty, Deadline adds.
Shakira, also famous for “Waka Waka,” asserted that the tax authorities were targeting her financially. She noted that she paid around $18 million in taxes after declaring her Spanish residence in 2015. Initially, Shakira refused a settlement offer from the prosecutors, opting to rely on the court’s judgment instead.
However, according to BBC, Shakira decided to settle the case before the trial commenced. In her statement, she criticized the Spanish tax authorities for their approach towards professional athletes and celebrities. She emphasized that, despite her confidence in achieving a favorable trial outcome, she chose to settle for the well-being of her children, to avoid further personal strife.
