Shakira accused of $16.3 million tax fraud, Spanish court orders to face trial. Read details here
According to sources, Spanish court has ordered Shakira to stand a trial for tax cheating, claiming she owed more than 14.5 million euros ($16.3 million).
By ET Spotlight Special | Updated:
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Shakira, the pop singer, maintained that the tax fraud allegations brought against her were untrue and that she had paid all due taxes.
The pop diva who is 45 years old, is accused of tax fraud and might face up to 8 years in jail after being charged with tax evasion totaling more than 14.5 million euros. She reportedly did not pay between 2012 to 2014. She has opted to contest the claims and has argued that she has not stayed in the nation for more than 183 days, which would entitle the Spanish government to consider her an official citizen.
She stated that she had to fight for what she believed because the charges were baseless.
She also stated that she paid what they claimed she owed, before the filing of the lawsuit. As of now, she claims she owes them nothing. Finally, she stated that she goes by one of the world's four largest tax expert companies, PrinceWaterhouse Coopers, and that she was convinced she was doing things appropriately and transparently from the start.
Spanish prosecutor asks for eight-year jail term for Shakira
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Spanish prosecutor asks for eight-year jail term for Shakira
Spanish prosecutor asks for eight-year jail term for Shakira
A Spanish prosecutor is seeking a prison term of eight years for Colombian superstar Shakira over a 14.5 million-euro tax fraud case, a prosecutor's office document showed on Friday.
A Spanish prosecutor is seeking a prison term of eight years for Colombian superstar Shakira over a 14.5 million-euro tax fraud case, a prosecutor's office document showed on Friday.
The singer, who has sold more than 80 million records worldwide with hits such as "Hips Don't Lie", earlier this week rejected a settlement offer from the prosecutor's office to close the case.
The singer, who has sold more than 80 million records worldwide with hits such as "Hips Don't Lie", earlier this week rejected a settlement offer from the prosecutor's office to close the case.
She is accused of failing to pay taxes between 2012 and 2014, a period in which Shakira says she did not live in Spain.
She is accused of failing to pay taxes between 2012 and 2014, a period in which Shakira says she did not live in Spain.
The prosecutor's document, seen by Reuters, asserts that Shakira was ordinarily resident in Spain between 2012 and 2014 and in May 2012 bought a house in Barcelona which became a family home for herself, her partner and their son born in Spain in 2013.
The prosecutor's document, seen by Reuters, asserts that Shakira was ordinarily resident in Spain between 2012 and 2014 and in May 2012 bought a house in Barcelona which became a family home for hers..
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It asked for an eight-year prison sentence and a fine of more than 23 million euros ($23.5 million) should she be found guilty. No date for a trial has been set yet.
It asked for an eight-year prison sentence and a fine of more than 23 million euros ($23.5 million) should she be found guilty. No date for a trial has been set yet.
Asked to comment, Shakira's representatives referred to a previous statement sent out on Wednesday saying she "is fully confident of her innocence" and that she considers the case "a total violation of her rights".
Asked to comment, Shakira's representatives referred to a previous statement sent out on Wednesday saying she "is fully confident of her innocence" and that she considers the case "a total violation ..
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The terms of the earlier settlement offer have not been disclosed.
The terms of the earlier settlement offer have not been disclosed.
The 45-year-old singer - dubbed the Queen of Latin Pop - said she initially paid the 17.2 million euros that the Spanish tax office said she owed and claims she has no outstanding debt with the tax authorities.
The 45-year-old singer - dubbed the Queen of Latin Pop - said she initially paid the 17.2 million euros that the Spanish tax office said she owed and claims she has no outstanding debt with the tax a..
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The latest development in the tax case comes a month after Shakira and her husband, FC Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, announced they were separating. Shakira, 45, and Pique, 35, have been together since 2011 and have two sons.
The latest development in the tax case comes a month after Shakira and her husband, FC Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, announced they were separating. Shakira, 45, and Pique, 35, have been together ..
Pop star Shakira is also facing a fine, she added that the Spanish government's charges were false, claiming that the authorities frequently do this to superstars and average taxpayers.The singer who is also a Grammy Award winner has been accused of claiming to live overseas to try avoiding the payment of taxes, even though she had moved out Barcelona in the year 2011 to live with her former, Spanish footballer Gerard Pique, with whom she has boys Milan, nine, and Sasha, seven.
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Shakira was mentioned among people connected to offshore assets in one of the largest ever breaches of financial records, known as the "Pandora Papers," in October 2021.
FAQ
Who is Shakira? Colombian singer Shakira who was born and raised in Barranquilla and is known as the "Queen of Latin Music" for her musical diversity.
How much tax is Shakira bound to pay? Shakira is bound to pay more than 14.5 million euros, according to reports.
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