A Spanish court has ordered the country's tax authority to refund €55 million to singer Shakira. This decision follows the acquittal of the Colombian artist of tax fraud. The money was deemed improperly collected in a disagreement over her tax payments.
The national high court has ruled that tax authorities failed to prove Shakira spent the required 183 days in Spain during 2011. This is the minimum period for residents to pay personal income tax there. Shakira stated the court has "finally set the record straight". She endured eight years of "brutal public targeting" and "orchestrated campaigns". These campaigns, she added, "ultimately impacted my health and my family's well-being".
This ruling impacts public finance in Spain. The €55 million refund includes approximately €24 million in income tax. It also covers nearly €25 million in fines. These fines were for what authorities called a "very serious" infringement. The tax agency has stated it will appeal to the Supreme Court. No payment will be made until a final ruling is issued.
The court found that the fines were unlawful. This was because they depended on the assumption that Spain was her tax residence in 2011. This fact was not proven. The court determined Shakira spent 163 days in Spain that year. This was 20 days short of the threshold for tax residency. This specific case does not cover tax years after 2011. It is one of several tax cases involving the singer.
In 2023, Shakira settled a separate tax fraud case. This case covered the years 2012-2014. She accepted six charges and paid a €7.5 million fine. Prosecutors had sought an eight-year jail sentence and a €23.8 million fine. A Spanish court also dropped an investigation for her 2018 tax payments. This was due to a "lack of evidence" earlier in 2024. The singer is currently undertaking her 'Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran' world tour.