On Thursday (5.26,) Shakira‘s recent appeal in a Spain tax fraud case was dismissed.
According to the Associated Press, in 2018, the Colombian singer was initially charged with failing to pay $15.5 million in taxes on income she earned between 2012 and 2014.
Despite denying any wrongdoing when she first testified in June 2019, a judge ruled in July 2021 that there was ample evidence for the case to go to trial.
In their Thursday decision, the Spanish court said evidence suggests Shakira was “a habitual resident in Spain”, and her documentation failed to substantiate her residence for tax purposes in another country. Therefore she had an obligation to pay her taxes in Spain.
In response to her situation Shakira’s public relations firm issued a statement claiming the pop star had immediately paid what she owed once Spain’s Tax Office informed her of the debt, stating:
“Shakira’s conduct on tax matters has always been impeccable in all the countries where she has had to pay taxes, and she has trusted and faithfully followed the recommendations of the best specialists and expert advisors.”
If found guilty of tax evasion, the ‘Hips Don’t Lie’ singer faces a possible fine and prison sentence, though the latter part can be waived by a judge for first-time offenders.
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Author: Saul Goode