Colombian singer Shakira has won a significant legal battle in Spain, as she was cleared in a tax case concerning the year 2011. The Spanish court ruled that the tax authorities failed to prove that Shakira resided in Spain for more than 183 days in 2011, which is the threshold for being considered a tax resident of the country.

The court found that Shakira was present in Spain for 163 days, which does not meet the required threshold for tax residency. As a result, the court annulled the tax charge and ordered the return of over €55 million, including interest.

Shakira's legal team had long argued that she did not have a tax base in Spain in 2011 and that she frequently traveled due to her professional commitments.

Separate from 2023 Settlement

This new ruling does not affect the earlier tax case for the years 2012 to 2014, which was settled in 2023 when Shakira agreed to a deal with Spanish authorities to avoid prosecution.

The 2011 case had remained open, and now the singer has received a legal victory. However, the decision can still be appealed by the Spanish tax authorities if they decide to proceed.

For Shakira, this acquittal marks the end of a long period of legal pressure in Spain. For the tax authorities, the ruling highlights the critical importance of proving actual residency in such cases.

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  • CELEBRITIES
  • SPAIN
  • SHAKIRA
  • TAX CASE