Colombian music sensation Shakira has reached a settlement with Spanish authorities, effectively ending her high-profile tax evasion case. The Grammy-winning singer, known for her chart-topping hits and dynamic performances, admitted to the charges against her and agreed to pay the full amount owed along with an additional fine, according to a statement released by the Barcelona prosecutor’s office on Monday.
The Settlement Details
Shakira has agreed to pay a substantial sum of €17.5 million ($19 million). This amount comprises the outstanding taxes she owed, accrued interest, and a fine of €7.3 million ($8 million), as stated in the official release.
Prosecutors had originally sought a sentence of over eight years in prison if Shakira were to be found guilty on all six counts of tax fraud. However, the settlement stipulates that instead of serving jail time, she will pay additional fines amounting to approximately $437 a day, equivalent to a three-year sentence, totaling just over $470,000.
The resolution was reached swiftly during Monday’s court proceedings, lasting a mere 10 minutes. The presiding judge announced a last-minute agreement submitted by all parties involved, thereby avoiding a trial. When asked by the judge if she was aware of the terms and fines agreed upon, Shakira responded with a resounding “yes.”
The Singer’s Statement
Shortly after the courtroom development, Shakira’s communication team issued a statement confirming that her legal team had successfully negotiated an end to the tax case, which encompassed the years spanning from 2012 to 2014.
In her statement, Shakira expressed her initial readiness to face trial and defend her innocence. However, she ultimately decided that triumphing at the cost of losing many years of her life was not an ideal outcome. She stated, “I had two options: keep fighting until the end, taking my peace of mind and that of my children, stop making songs, albums, and tours, without being able to enjoy my career and the things I like; or agree, close, and leave this chapter of my life behind, looking forward (to the future).”
The Tax Allegations
Spanish prosecutors had accused the Colombian superstar of failing to pay personal income and wealth taxes for the years 2012 to 2014, amounting to approximately $15.6 million.
In a 2021 ruling, Judge Marco Jesús Juberías asserted that Shakira had spent more than 200 days in Spain during each of those three years, making her liable to pay taxes according to Spain’s tax code. The code states that anyone residing in the country for at least six months and one day, or 183 days, in a given year is legally obligated to pay taxes.
Shakira, however, vehemently contested these allegations, labeling them as “false” in an interview with Elle magazine in September 2022. She stated, “First of all, I didn’t spend 183 days per year at that time at all. I was busy fulfilling my professional commitments around the world. Second, I’ve paid everything they claimed I owed, even before they filed a lawsuit. So as of today, I owe zero to them,” further emphasizing her determination to have her day in court as “a matter of principle.”
Colombian superstar Shakira’s tax evasion saga has come to an end with a significant settlement with Spanish authorities. While the singer had initially prepared to defend her innocence in court, she ultimately opted to resolve the case through an agreement. The settlement involves a substantial payment of €17.5 million, which covers outstanding taxes, interest, and fines. This resolution, reached during a brief court hearing, has spared Shakira from potential prison time, instead subjecting her to daily fines. The artist expressed a desire to move forward and continue her career, putting this chapter behind her.
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