Shakira settles a tax fraud case with a €7.5 million fine in Spain

Colombian pop sensation Shakira has reached an agreement with Spanish prosecutors to settle a tax fraud case, averting a trial that was set to commence. The global music icon opted to pay a €7.5 million (£6.5 million) fine to conclude the legal proceedings, which had initially threatened an eight-year jail term and a €23.8 million (£20.8 million) fine if she were found guilty.

The tax fraud allegations, amounting to €14.5m (£12.7m), were scheduled to be heard in a Barcelona court. Shakira, consistently asserting her innocence, stated that she made the settlement decision “with the best interest of my kids at heart.”

In a comprehensive statement, the artist expressed her commitment to doing what is right throughout her career, emphasising the toll such legal disputes take on individuals’ energy, time, and tranquility. Despite her initial intent to go to trial, Shakira highlighted the emotional toll of the case on her well-being and her desire to focus on her children and future career opportunities.

The core issue revolves around Shakira’s residency status from 2012 to 2014, with prosecutors claiming she resided in Spain during that period but officially registered her residence elsewhere. Spanish tax law designates individuals spending over six months in the country as residents for tax purposes, a point of contention Shakira refutes, asserting that Spain was not her primary residence during that timeframe.

Shakira, who declared Spain as her tax residence in 2015, has contended that the tax authorities targeted her due to her relationship with Spanish citizen Gerard Piqué. The settlement comes amid a broader trend of tax-related cases involving high-profile individuals. In a separate 2019 case, Piqué was fined €2.1 million (£1.8 million) for tax evasion between 2008 and 2010.

Shakira and Piqué, who announced their separation in June after 11 years together, share two sons, aged seven and nine.