Shakira Acquitted in 2011 Spanish Tax Fraud Case, Awarded $70 Million

"The ruling relates to a dispute over the 2011 tax year, with the Madrid court saying authorities failed to prove the Colombian singer was a resident of Spain at that time. Shakira's defense stated that the Treasury has been ordered to reimburse her ​more than €60 million ($70 million), which includes accrued interest. Get Shakira Tickets Here Spanish authorities were only able to prove Shakira lived in Spain for a total of 163 days in 2011, the court said, falling short of the 183 days required to be considered a tax resident."

"The tax agency's argument had tied Shakira to Spain due to a relationship with her former partner, former Barcelona soccer player Gerard Piqué, and because her primary economic activities were based in the country. However, the High Court ruled that they did not have the equivalent of a marital relationship. Furthermore, "the main center or base" of Shakira's activities or economic interests in 2011 was not proven to be directly or indirectly located in Spain."

"In a press statement (via , Shakira said the court "finally set the record straight" after she spent eight years "enduring brutal public targeting, orchestrated campaigns to destroy my reputation, and sleepless nights that ultimately impacted my health and my family's well-being." The statement continued, "There was never any fraud, and the Tax Agency itself was never able to prove otherwise, simply because it wasn't true. Yet, for nearly a decade, I was treated as guilty.""

A Spanish court acquitted Shakira in a tax fraud case tied to the 2011 tax year. Authorities were ordered to refund €55 million in wrongly imposed fines, with additional reimbursement including accrued interest. The court found the government failed to prove she was a tax resident of Spain in 2011. The evidence showed she lived in Spain for 163 days, below the 183-day threshold required for tax residency. The tax agency argued residency based on her relationship with Gerard Piqué and the location of her economic activities. The court ruled that no equivalent marital relationship was proven and that the main center or base of her activities or economic interests in 2011 was not proven to be in Spain. Shakira said there was never fraud and that the Tax Agency could not prove otherwise.

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