The singer is already threatened with a high prison sentence and fine. And now there is another criminal tax proceeding.
A court of inquiry in Barcelona has opened another investigation into possible tax evasion against pop singer Shakira (“Waka Waka”, “Hips Don’t Lie”). This was announced by the Supreme Court of Catalonia in the Mediterranean metropolis. An investigative court in Spain has roughly the task of the public prosecutor’s office in Germany, which means that judges carry out criminal investigations.
The procedure was opened in 2018 after a report by the tax office against the Colombian singer for two possible offenses in connection with income and wealth tax, the judicial press office said. Further details were not initially made public.
Shakira has long been in trouble with the Spanish tax authorities, who accuse her of tax evasion in the years 2012 to 2014 totaling around 14.5 million euros. That’s why she should be in the dock in Barcelona this year. The prosecution has requested a prison sentence of eight years and two months and a fine of 23.8 million euros. The trial is to be conducted before the Audiencia Provincial de Barcelona, which in Germany corresponds to a regional court. The artist has repeatedly protested her innocence.
In July last year, Shakira rejected an out-of-court settlement with the tax authorities in her adopted country. This paved the way for the musician’s trial.#
Bahamas or Barcelona?
The core question is where the Colombian was liable to pay taxes in 2012, 2013 and 2014. The judiciary says: in Spain, because she stayed there for more than half a year in each of the three years. The singer denies that.
Shakira affirms that she was residing in the Bahamas at the time. She only repeatedly visited her partner at the time, football star Gerard Piqué from FC Barcelona, with whom she now has two children and from whom she is now separated, in Spain. Only from 2015 did she live permanently in Barcelona. In addition, she has since paid all taxes plus interest.
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
