Shakira Faces Another Tax Evasion Charge In Spain

Shakira Faces Another Tax Evasion Charge In Spain: The Spanish government accuses Colombian icon Shakira of tax evasion for a second time, placing her back in the legal spotlight. In 2018, according to Spanish prosecutors, the renowned singer allegedly defrauded the state of a staggering €6.7 million ($7.1 million, £5.8 million). This signifies the continuance of her tax problems, which have plagued her for years.

The latest investigation, launched in July 2023, focuses on allegations that Shakira neglected to report millions of dollars in advance payments for her El Dorado World Tour, as well as other sources of income. According to Spanish network RTVE, Shakira is well aware of these new allegations, but her legal team in Miami, where she currently resides, has not yet been officially informed about them. Instead, they have been preparing for the trial concerning the fiscal years 2012-2014, which is scheduled to begin on November 20.

Shakira’s residence in Barcelona in 2018, where she resided with football star Gerard Pique, is at the center of the controversy. Due to her domicile in Barcelona, the Spanish government contends that Shakira was required to pay taxes on her international earnings in Spain. However, they claim that she transferred her funds to “companies domiciled in countries with low taxation and high opacity.”

Shakira is already scheduled to stand trial in Barcelona on November 20 for six distinct alleged tax offenses from 2012 to 2014. The Grammy-winning artist ardently denies any wrongdoing and expresses confidence in her defense despite the mounting allegations. She stated in a September interview with the Spanish edition of Elle magazine, “I am confident that I have enough proof to support my case, and that justice will prevail in my favor,”

In a separate statement, prosecutors in Barcelona allege that Shakira used an offshore company based in a tax haven to circumvent her tax obligations. This revelation has added to her legal difficulties in Spain.

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Concerns have been expressed about Shakira’s financial advisors and the advice they provided in light of the ongoing legal drama. Her public relations firm, Llorente y Cuenca, had previously asserted that she had “always acted in accordance with the law and on the advice of her financial advisors.” However, these assurances have had little effect on the escalating legal challenges.

Shakira’s eleven-year relationship with Gerard Pique, which ended last year, strengthened her ties to Spain. The couple’s cohabitation in Barcelona, where they raised their two children, fueled the Spanish tax authorities’ determination to hold her accountable.

It is important to note that Shakira is not the only prominent individual under scrutiny by Spanish tax authorities. Over the past decade, Spain has clamped down on alleged tax evasion by notable individuals, including soccer superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite being found guilty, these athletes were spared prison time due to a provision that allows judges to waive sentences of less than two years for first-time offenders.

As Shakira prepares for her day in court, the entire world is keenly interested in how this chapter of her protracted legal battle will play out. The singer’s enduring struggle against these persistent tax evasion accusations now shares the spotlight with her legacy as a global music icon.