The Spanish National Court ruled in favor of pop star Shakira, dismissing the criminal case against the Colombian artist for tax fraud. The ruling also requires the government to return approximately €60 million (approximately $70 million) to the singer, thereby resolving a decade-long battle over her status as a Spanish tax resident.
Shakira, whose real name is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, announced on Instagram using Rihanna’s music clip titled “B*tch Better Have My Money”.
According to the court, the tax authorities failed to demonstrate that Shakira resided in Spain for a sufficient period in 2011 to qualify as a resident for tax purposes. Investigators studied all accessible data and established a maximum of 163 days in Spain, but even Shakira’s official documentation indicates 143 days. Shakira spent that year traveling around the world performing at more than 100 concerts in 37 countries.
Originally, the fine for Shakira amounted to around €55 million. Thus, the total €60 million refund includes not only the previously levied amount but also interest. Furthermore, Spain’s tax agency was ordered by the court to pay Shakira’s legal costs, a rare ruling, according to lawyers, since it is issued only when acting recklessly.
“There was never any fraud, and the Tax Agency itself was never able to prove otherwise, simply because it wasn’t true,” Shakira stated in her statement issued through her lawyers.
Speaking of this ruling, Shakira’s lawyer, José Luís Prada, noted that the verdict follows eight years of proceedings, during which excessive tolling was demonstrated, and insufficient rigor in administration was shown.
In dismissing the criminal case against Shakira, the court did not find the prosecutors’ arguments regarding Shakira’s relationship with the then football player Gerard Piqué to be valid. According to the court, romantic relations are not equivalent to marital status. Judges found no evidence that most economic activities were related to Spain. Furthermore, the system created by the singer for financial transactions was found to be legal and carried out mainly outside Spain.
Spain’s tax agency said it would appeal to the Supreme Court. The refund will be withheld pending that decision.
It should be noted that a case concerning allegations about the hiding of Shakira’s earnings tax from 2012 to 2014 was recently resolved in November 2023, in which Shakira admitted to the accusations and paid over €7.3 million in a fine.
