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Will Pop Singer Shakira Face Jail Term In Spain Tax Fraud Case? Here's Everything You Need To Know
Shakira Tax Fraud Trial: Acclaimed Colombian pop singer Shakira has found herself guilty of tax evasion in Spain, and its government has also filed charges against her. However, on the first day of its trial in Barcelona, the pop sensation reached a last-minute agreement with Spanish prosecutors.
In order to avoid the trial over the charges that she failed to pay 14.5 million euros in Spanish income tax between 2012 and 2014, Shakira has struck a deal with the prosecutors wherein her jail time will be replaced with fines, the Spanish judges stated.
The iconic singer also has a second tax fraud investigation pending in Spain. However, now, despite expressing her innocence in the scandal, Shakira has agreed to pay a huge fine of €7.3 million ($8 million).
Here's everything about Shakira's Spain tax fraud case
According to Spanish law, individuals who stay in Spain for over six months in a year are liable to pay taxes, and their government stated that the pop icon allegedly neglected to pay €14.5 million ($15.8 million) in taxes between 2012 and 2014.
The controversy revolves around the period Shakira spent in Spain while officially declaring her address in the Bahamas, where tax rates are considerably lower than those in Spain.
Meanwhile, the Spanish prosecution had planned to present around 117 witnesses, including beauticians, healthcare professionals, and Shakira's driver, to testify about her residency in the country. Having been found guilty, the singer could probably face a sentence of eight years and two months in prison and a fine of €23.8 million ($26 million).
What does Shakira have to say about the charges?
Shakira stated that she settled the amount the tax office claimed was owed before the lawsuit was filed. She emphasised that her work led to a "nomadic life," and she was not residing in Spain during the specified period.
The Waka Waka singer's team presented that a significant amount of her income until 2014 came from international tours, during which she spent extended periods abroad.
In a recent statement, Shakira said, "I have consistently aimed to uphold ethical standards and serve as a positive role model throughout my career. Regrettably, despite my endeavors, Spanish tax authorities initiated a case against me, as they have done with numerous athletes and prominent figures, consuming their energy, time, and peace for prolonged periods."
Concluding her statement, she stated, "I remained resolute in asserting my innocence throughout the trial, which my legal team believed would result in a favorable outcome. I have chosen to bring this matter to a resolution, prioritizing the well-being of my children, who wish to spare their mother from sacrificing her personal welfare in this legal battle."
What did the prosecutor's office say?
The prosecutor's office alleged that Shakira has spent more than half of the years mentioned in Spain, making her an ordinary resident of the nation. It also stated that a Barcelona property she purchased in 2012 served as a family home.
Who are the other celebrities under the scanner?
There are several celebrities being pursued by the Spanish authorities in a tax evasion case, which includes footballers such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Diego Costa. Reports suggest all cases have been settled and huge fines have been paid.
