Shakira Acquitted in Tax Case as Spanish Government Must Return $70 Million: ‘There Was Never Any Fraud,’ Says Singer

Shakira has been acquitted of tax fraud relating to her income in 2011, according to a ruling from the Spanish High Court. The decision, announced on 18 May, overturns a hefty fine of €55 million (approximately £48 million) that had been imposed by the Spanish tax authorities in 2021. Following this ruling, representatives for the global superstar have indicated that the Spanish government will be required to return over €60 million (around £52 million) to her.

The ruling primarily hinged on the inability of the tax authorities to demonstrate that Shakira had spent a requisite 183 days in Spain during 2011, a critical threshold for residency for tax obligations in the country. Although this decision puts an end to the accusations concerning that particular year, it does not address tax matters relating to subsequent years.

Shakira’s legal troubles have been extensive, with the Spanish tax agency suggesting that her connection to Spain was established through her previous relationship with former professional footballer Gerard Piqué, with whom she shares two children, Milan, and Sasha. Following the court’s verdict, Shakira issued an emotional statement expressing relief and highlighting the toll that the ordeal has taken on her personally and professionally.

“I have endured brutal public targeting, orchestrated campaigns against my reputation, and sleepless nights affecting my health and my family’s well-being,” she stated. She added that the court ruling serves to finally correct the public narrative wrongly constructed around her. “There was never any fraud, and the Administration itself could never prove otherwise, simply because it wasn’t true,” she asserted. Shakira further remarked that for nearly a decade she had been treated as guilty, emphasising that the case had been manipulated to send a cautionary message to other taxpayers.

In addition, she has called for systemic changes within the tax agency to protect ordinary citizens. “My greatest hope is that this ruling sets a precedent for the Treasury that serves the thousands of ordinary citizens who are abused and crushed every day by a system that presumes their guilt,” she remarked. This sentiment reflects a broader frustration with a system that she believes has unjustly burdened many individuals.

Shakira’s lawyer, José Luis Prada, echoed her sentiments regarding the flawed administrative processes that had led to the high-profile case. He commended the court for delivering a resolution that not only vindicates Shakira but also exposes the challenges faced by everyday taxpayers who may lack the resources to contest such accusations. “Shakira had the strength and resources to see this through to the end,” he noted, emphasising the relief and pride in witnessing the judicial system functioning as it should.

The music icon previously settled another tax case in November 2023, agreeing to a payment of $7.5 million to avoid a potential prison sentence for failing to pay €14.5 million in taxes for the years 2012 to 2014. At the time, she maintained her innocence but settled the case primarily for the sake of her children. Furthermore, prosecutors dropped tax fraud charges against her concerning her 2018 income in May 2024.

Shakira is poised to embark on the North American leg of her “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” World Tour this June and July, before concluding with a series of twelve shows at Madrid’s Shakira Stadium later in September and October. The recent ruling may provide her with a measure of relief from the pressures of her legal battles as she focuses on her upcoming performances.

Shakira’s legal ordeal highlights broader concerns regarding the treatment of public figures in tax disputes, as well as the implications of such cases for individuals without the extensive resources to combat similar challenges. As public interest in celebrity cases continues, the recent ruling provides a noteworthy instance of a judicial system that holds authorities accountable, as well as a reminder of the need for fairness in both tax law and public perception.