The Supreme Court of Spain has ruled that the country’s tax authority must return €60 million to Shakira, the world-famous pop singer. The ruling brings an end to an eight-year legal dispute between the two sides.
According to the website “Music Talkers,” the court stated that there was insufficient evidence to prove that Shakira was a tax resident in Spain in 2011. Under Spanish law, a person is considered a tax resident if they live in the country for at least 183 days in a year.
The judges said that Shakira’s presence in Spain did not reach that threshold, and therefore the penalties imposed on her were unlawful.
The case relates to a period when Shakira was on her world tour, performing 120 concerts in 37 countries. Her lawyers argued that with such a demanding schedule, it was impossible for her to reside in Spain for an extended period.
The court also rejected the tax authority’s claim that Shakira had used shell companies to evade taxes, stating that no evidence had been presented to support the accusation.
Under the ruling, Spain’s tax authority must pay back not only the €60 million, but also the legal costs and interest on the amount. The court further ordered the agency to cover the litigation expenses.
Shakira said that after years of pressure, the ruling had cleared her name, and she expressed hope that the decision would help other taxpayers facing similar situations.
Shakira’s lawyer also described the outcome as a victory for justice. The case was considered one of the singer’s longest-running tax disputes with the Spanish government.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
