Colombian pop sensation Shakira found herself at the center of a legal battle involving tax fraud allegations that spanned nearly five years, culminating in a dramatic turn of events on the opening day of her trial in Barcelona. Maintaining her innocence until the last moment, Shakira unexpectedly struck a deal with Spanish prosecutors to avert the looming threat of imprisonment.
Facing accusations of failing to pay 14.5 million euros in taxes to the Spanish government between 2012 and 2014, Shakira, 46, accepted a settlement agreement during the trial’s onset. The agreement acknowledged six counts of tax evasion, sparing her from an eight-year, two-month prison sentence and a 24 million euros fine initially sought by prosecutors. Instead, she received a suspended three-year sentence and a 7 million euros fine.
The trial, anticipated to involve over 100 witnesses in the upcoming weeks, abruptly ended after merely eight minutes as Shakira concurred with the negotiated terms. This legal episode focused on her residency during the mentioned period, with prosecutors contending that she spent more than half the time in Spain and should have paid taxes on her global income, despite officially residing in the Bahamas, where tax rates are considerably lower.
Expressing her decision’s rationale, Shakira emphasized prioritizing her family, career, and peace of mind. In a statement released by her public relations firm, she acknowledged the toll the legal ordeal had taken on her emotional well-being and stated her intent to shift her focus to her children and future career opportunities.
The case’s trajectory evolved significantly since Shakira initially refused a deal proposed by prosecutors in July 2022, asserting her belief in innocence and commitment to legal due process. The “Paradise Papers” leak, which exposed offshore tax arrangements involving prominent figures, including Shakira, added complexity to the allegations. Her defense argued that she had not spent the required time in Spain to be deemed a fiscal resident, citing international tours and work commitments abroad.
The singer eventually established fiscal residency in Spain in 2014, coinciding with her child’s enrollment in a Barcelona school, as she aimed to spend more time with her family. However, she faced separate charges of evading 6.7 million euros in tax on her 2018 income, accused of utilizing an offshore company in a tax haven to evade payments.
This legal episode in Spain parallels similar cases involving renowned figures like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, both of whom encountered tax evasion charges but avoided imprisonment with suspended sentences. Shakira, known for her musical prowess in both Spanish and English, shares two children with former Barcelona soccer star Gerard Piqué, residing in Miami following their separation after an 11-year relationship.
Amidst this legal turmoil, Shakira expressed gratitude to her fans in Spain following her success at the Latin Grammy Awards, acknowledging their unwavering support during challenging times.