Shakira’s tax fraud case explained as she faces 8 years in jail and $23 million fines in Spain
Shakira, a Colombian singer, is accused of evading taxes in Spain for a total of 14.5 million euros, or approximately 14.8 million dollars. She faces a lengthy prison sentence and a substantial fine.
According to a report in the Spanish publication El Pas on Friday, Spanish prosecutors accused Shakira of committing six cases of tax fraud and recommended a sentence of eight and a half years, as well as a hefty fine of more than 23 million euros. ($23.5 million).
A court near Barcelona, where Shakira resides, will deal with the case. She will be invited to testify at a hearing that is anticipated to take place in the coming weeks.
Shakira first ruled on an appeal to have the case dismissed in May.
Shakira first failed in her bid to have the case dismissed last May. In addition, the artist rejected a settlement proposal from the Spanish judicial ministry earlier this week that would have resolved the dispute without a trial. Shakira alleged at the time that her accusation was “uncompromising” and she had used “inappropriate methods” to force her to accept a plea deal.
The recent sentence means that Shakira will probably have to testify before a hearing regardless of the new developments, if only to approve a contract, even though an agreement has not yet been reached, according to El Pas. According to sources close to the artist, Shakira is “determined” to take the matter to the end.
The alleged fraud is said to have taken place between 2012 and 2014, when Shakira is accused of maintaining a tax residence in the Bahamas and evading Spanish taxes while residing in Barcelona, Spain, following the start of her relationship with the FC Barcelona player. Gerard Piqué.
The star of Colombia has responded
The Colombian actress has said that the time in question was during a period of frequent travel and that she did not formally move to Spain until 2015.
Shakira lived in Barcelona, according to records of her visits to hairdressers, a birth center and a rented music studio, according to the prosecution.
Shakira’s lawyers have claimed that the singer “never stayed long enough in Spain” between 2012 and 2014 to be subject to tax regulations. They have also stated that the prosecution has relied on “indirect” evidence to support her claims of Shakira’s residence.
Shakira has stated that she is “fully willing to resolve any dispute” with the tax agency if it is found to be valid. She has further stated that she followed financial advice from PricewaterhouseCoopers, a London-based consulting firm specializing in tax law and financial services, during the relevant period of time. El Pas reports that it is unknown if the firm is associated with the legal dispute.
Shakira, who claims she didn’t make Barcelona her new legal home until 2015, is apparently preparing to depart both from the Catalan capital and across the country. The singer is reportedly seeking to immigrate to the United States following a public breakup with her partner Pique last month.
