Shakira takes plea deal in tax fraud case to avoid jail time and paying $15.7 million in back taxes

Yesterday, Colombian pop star Shakira reached a settlement with Spanish prosecutors to avoid a trial in Barcelona over charges she failed to pay 14.5 million euros ($15.7 million) in Spanish income tax between 2012 and 2014, according to Reuters.

“As part of the deal, she accepted the charges and a fine of 50% of the amount owed, more than 7.3 million euros. She also accepted another fine of 438,000 euros to avoid a three-year prison sentence, the judge said during the trial’s first hearing.”

Pop megastar Shakira settled a tax dispute with Spanish authorities on Monday, trading a potential prison sentence for fines in a last minute deal. https://t.co/1CNQ7aY2K3
— Forbes (@Forbes) November 20, 2023

Back in July 2022, prosecutors in Spain were asking the courts to sentence the pop star to eight years and two months in the slammer after charging her for tax fraud. The 46-year-old Columbian entertainer has been charged with failing to pay the Spanish government 14.5 million euros ($15 million) in taxes between 2012 and 2014. The prosecutors said they would also seek a fine of 24 million euros ($24 million).

The indictment against her detailed six charges against Shakira. The singer rejected a settlement deal offered by prosecutors, opting to go to trial instead ~ ABC News

According to the Spanish prosecutors in Barcelona going after the Grammy winner, they contended that Shakira lived in Spain for more than six months each year during the years 2012, 2013 and 2014 – so, she needed to pay taxes to that country, but did not. The Huffington Post reported Shakira’s camp as denying the residence claims made by the Spanish government, and that the singer, “did not live in Spain and was on various international tours during the years in question.” According to Shakira’s defense team, the singer maintained her official residence in the Bahamas until at least 2015.

Shakira, full name Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, recently ended an 11-year-long relationship with FC Barcelona star Gerard Piqué. The couple has two children together; and they used to live in Spain, according to MSN.

“While I was determined to defend my innocence in a trial that my lawyers were confident would have ruled in my favor, I have made the decision to finally resolve this matter with the best interest of my kids at heart," Shakira said in a statement. https://t.co/65i0fDTNfP
— Variety (@Variety) November 20, 2023

In a statement released following her court appearance, Shakira said she had “always strived to do what’s right and set a positive example for others.” ~ ABC News

And it’s been confirmed that Shakira has a new album underway; and the singer said that she’s looking forward to her 2024 world tour that will include arena and stadium shows in nearly two dozen countries.