Shakira Acquitted of Tax Evasion Charges by Spanish Court

The Audiencia Nacional, Spain's court that handles particularly serious crimes, has acquitted Colombian pop sensation Shakira of a tax evasion charge related to her residency in Spain in 2011. During that year, Shakira was spending significant time in Spain due to her relationship with former Barcelona footballer Gerard Piqué. The Spanish tax authorities contended that Shakira should have registered her tax residency in Spain; however, the court ruled otherwise. The court found that Shakira was not liable for taxes in Spain for the year in question, citing that she spent more than half of that year living abroad, had no marital or professional ties to Spanish citizens, and conducted the majority of her professional activities outside of Spain. This ruling comes after the singer paid a hefty fine of €55 million in 2021. However, should the decision be confirmed, it could lead to Shakira receiving a refund from Spain for the fine, which her lawyers estimate could amount to approximately €60 million with accrued interest. While this recent acquittal marks a significant win for the singer, it is worth noting that her legal troubles in Spain are not entirely behind her. Shakira has previously faced accusations of tax evasion for the years 2012 to 2014. In that instance, she opted to settle by agreeing to a fine of €7.25 million. The latest ruling by the Audiencia Nacional is not yet final and can be appealed to the Tribunal Supremo, Spain's Supreme Court, suggesting that the legal saga surrounding Shakira's tax issues may not be concluded just yet. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2