Shakira accused of tax crimes for the second time

Shakira accused of tax crimes for the second time

Colombian pop sensation Shakira is facing her second tax evasion charge from the Spanish government. Spanish prosecutors allege that in 2018, she defrauded the state of €6.7 million ($7.1 million, £5.8 million) by failing to declare substantial sums, including advance payments related to her El Dorado World Tour.

The Spanish authorities initiated this second investigation in July 2023 but only disclosed the details on Tuesday. Although the 46-year-old singer is said to be aware of the new charges, Reuters reports that her legal team in Miami, where she currently resides, has not been officially notified about them.

Instead, they are primarily focused on preparing for the upcoming trial related to the fiscal years 2012-2014, set to commence on November 20th.

The latest charges revolve around the fact that in 2018, Shakira was residing in Barcelona with the football star Gerard Pique, making her liable to pay taxes on all her international income in that jurisdiction.

They argue that she instead diverted her money to “companies domiciled in countries with low taxation and high opacity”.

Shakira faces trial over six separate alleged tax crimes in Barcelona this November – charges she has denied.

In that case, she has been accused of failing to pay €14.5m ($15.3m, £12.6m) in tax between 2012 and 2014, but has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

“I am confident that I have enough proof to support my case and that justice will prevail in my favor”, she said in September, in an interview with the Spanish edition of Elle magazine.