Spanish prosecutors have filed charges against pop sensation Shakira, accusing her of not paying 6.7 million euros ($7.1 million) in taxes on her 2018 income. These allegations mark Spain’s latest fiscal dispute with the Colombian singer.
According to a statement from Barcelona prosecutors, Shakira is accused of utilizing an offshore company located in a tax haven as a means of evading the tax.
Shakira is facing another trial in Barcelona scheduled for November 20, unrelated to this case. This trial revolves around her residency between 2012 and 2014, with prosecutors claiming she owes 14.5 million euros ($15.4 million) in unpaid taxes.
Barcelona prosecutors claim that during the years 2012 to 2014, Shakira spent a significant portion of her time in Spain, surpassing the 183-day threshold that would require her to pay taxes in the country, despite her registered residence being in the Bahamas.
Spanish tax authorities initiated the latest case against Shakira in July 2023. Following a thorough examination of the evidence collected over the past two months, prosecutors have opted to press charges. A trial date is yet to be set.
Llorente y Cuenca, the public relations firm that has previously managed Shakira’s affairs, has not provided an immediate response to the developments. Back in July, the firm stated that the artist had consistently followed the law and relied on the guidance of her financial advisors.
Shakira, whose full name is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, has been connected to Spain since her relationship with the now-retired soccer player Gerard Piqué began. The couple, who share two children, resided in Barcelona together until the conclusion of their 11-year partnership last year.
Spain’s tax authorities have become increasingly stringent in their pursuit of tax evasion among high-profile individuals, notably in the realm of soccer. This crackdown has ensnared renowned players such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, resulting in convictions for tax evasion. However, these athletes were able to sidestep incarceration thanks to a legal provision that empowers judges to suspend sentences shorter than two years for first-time offenders.
More about Shakira
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, known simply as Shakira, is a Colombian singer and songwriter, born on February 2, 1977, in Barranquilla. She is hailed as the “Queen of Latin Music” and admired for her remarkable musical range. Shakira embarked on her music career with Sony Music Colombia when she was just 13 years old.
She boasts an impressive catalogue of 145 songs and has achieved remarkable sales, with over 95 million records sold. This outstanding success positions her as one of the top-selling music artists in history. According to Billboard’s 2023 report, she holds the title of the best-selling female Latin artist of all time. Shakira is also recognized for pioneering the international music market for fellow Latin artists. She served as a coach on two seasons of the American singing competition television series The Voice (2013–2014).
In 2011, Shakira entered a relationship with Spanish football player Gerard Piqué. Despite the ten-year age gap, the couple’s connection blossomed after Piqué appeared in Shakira’s music video for the official song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Their love story resulted in the birth of their first son, Milan, on January 22, 2013, in Barcelona. Later, on January 29, 2015, Shakira welcomed their second son, Sasha. Their influential partnership earned them a spot on Forbes’ list of World’s Most Powerful Couples. However, in June 2022, after 11 years together, Shakira and Piqué confirmed their separation in a joint statement.
Source: Today