Colombian singer Shakira has been acquitted of tax fraud by Spain's High Court, bringing an end to years of legal challenges concerning her financial affairs. The court's ruling not only clears her name but also stipulates that she should be reimbursed over 55 million euros, equivalent to approximately £48 million.
The protracted legal saga revolved around accusations that Shakira failed to pay 14.5 million euros in income tax in Spain between 2012 and 2014. Prosecutors had alleged that she spent more than half of each year in Spain during that period, making her a tax resident, despite her official residence being in the Bahamas at the time. Shakira consistently maintained her innocence, arguing that she was not a resident in Spain for tax purposes during the years in question.
This latest acquittal marks a significant victory for the global music icon, who has faced multiple legal skirmishes regarding her tax arrangements. In a separate case in November 2023, Shakira accepted a settlement with Spanish prosecutors, agreeing to pay a fine of 7.3 million euros and receive a three-year suspended sentence to avoid a trial on similar tax fraud charges. That case also pertained to tax evasion allegations from 2012 to 2014.
The High Court's decision to not only clear her but also order a substantial reimbursement underscores the complexities of international tax residency laws, particularly for high-profile individuals with global careers. The ruling highlights the challenges in determining an individual's primary residence when their work and personal life span multiple countries.
For Shakira, this acquittal offers a significant reprieve from the legal pressures that have shadowed her for several years. It allows her to move forward from these financial controversies and focus on her music career, which has seen a resurgence in recent years with new releases and collaborations.