Spain Charges Pop Star Shakira With Tax Evasion

‘I am confident that I have enough proof to support my case and that justice will prevail in my favour’

Spain Charges Pop Star Shakira With Tax Evasion

The Spanish government has accused Colombian pop star Shakira of tax evasion a second time.

Authorities in Spain claim the singer cheated the nation of €6.7 million ($7.1 million, £5.8 million) in 2018.

They claim that she neglected to disclose payments totaling millions that were made in advance for her El Dorado World Tour, among other payments.

The second inquiry was started by Spanish prosecutors in July 2023, but the specifics were only revealed on Tuesday.

The 46-year-old singer is reportedly aware of the fresh allegations, but her Miami-based legal team has not yet been informed of them, according to news agency Reuters.

Instead, they told Reuters in a statement that they were "focused on preparation for the trial for the 2012–14 fiscal years, which will begin on November 20."

The fresh accusations are based on the fact that Shakira had to pay Barcelona's tax on all of her worldwide earnings in 2018 since she had a residence there with football player Gerard Pique.

They contend that instead, she used "companies domiciled in countries with low taxation and high opacity" to shift her funds.

This November in Barcelona, Shakira will stand trial on six different counts of suspected tax fraud, which she has refused.

She has always denied any wrongdoing despite being charged with failing to pay €14.5 million ($15.3 million, £12.6 million) in taxes between 2012 and 2014.

In a September interview with Elle magazine, she declared, "I am confident that I have enough proof to support my case and that justice will prevail in my favor."