Shakira could be facing a $24 million fine and upwards of eight years in prison for tax fraud allegations in Spain. Spanish prosecutors have filed six charges against Shakira after a settlement deal was rejected earlier this week.
The tax fraud charges are based on Shakira’s residency from 2012 to 2014. The singer claims that she lived in the Bahamas until 2015 despite allegedly spending more than 200 days in Spain during each of those three years. The Spanish government is arguing that any individual who stays in the country for at least 184 days in a single year is considered a resident for tax purposes. Shakira claims that she and her partner, football player Gerard Piqué, moved to Spain together in 2015.
The couple revealed their split earlier this year, after spending 11 years together. The two were never officially married and have two sons together, both of whom were born in Spain.
There are also allegations that Shakira bought their residence in Barcelona back in 2012. The judge argued that Shakira’s financial adviser used several companies in off-shore tax havens to hide her income sources during those years.
Her PR team accused the Spanish Tax Agency of violating her rights, saying, "Shakira and her team consider that this case constitutes a total violation of her rights since she has always shown impeccable behaviour, as a person and taxpayer, and total willingness to resolve any disagreement from the beginning, even before the criminal proceeding."
Shakira was last seen leaving a Miami airport with her sons on Tuesday morning. Her court date has not yet been set. ∼Senna Gill
The Spanish government is not being fair to Shakira! They just want her money even though she was a resident of the Bahamas! She can’t be a resident of both at the same time! Spanish government should be ashamed for being so greedy & acting dishonorably! Shakira is fighting for her rights! We must support her! I will never visit Spain 🇪🇸 now for their terrible behaviour! We should all vow not to visit Spain until they stop attacking Shakira!!
All governments are greedy. I doubt she'll do jail time, but she'll probably have to pay.
If the laws of Spain are stated in residence portion of either visitors card or owing property that more than 184 days stays per year makes you a resident then she must pay taxes as such. Considering her wealth she should have tax people in each country she owns any property and as such makes sure to follow all laws of each country. If those hired people therefore commit any fraud THAT person should be held responsible legally and Shakira should be fined if they can prove she knew they did any such violations. If they can’t prove she knew and went along with any fraud then she should not be held responsible legally (prison nor fine). If she is impeccable and complying in all things and if this is simply Spain trying to get extra money under taxes one must remember Spain is the country that stands to the side of wars: by buying property and living there at all means you live in a country that doesn’t follow the rest of the world (they will stand alone, tax at their own terms, etc and if you live there then you must agree and follow their laws)
who really cares I think that she is not very talented and a very vain person married to a pro soccor player yeah right
Shakira in a women's prison? Sounds like erotica.
I'm sorry if her accountants are hiding her income in "tax havens" then she can well afford to pay taxes!! It seems to me that these high paid singers/actors expect to be exempt from any kind of law of the land. She should have known after "184" days "living" in Spain then you have to pay taxes!! These accountants are not only committing fraud for their client but they ultimately get their client in "trouble" with the law and their have high paying lawyers trying to spin it in a totally different way. These fans that agree with them have you ever thought about the average person who can't "afford" living in these luxcious places had the average person try to evade their taxes they would be in jail!! Bottom line just pay the taxes!!