Shakira's year has been tainted with controversy as she continues to bear the cross of her legal headache against the Spanish Government because of her tax issues in the country.
The "Whenever, Wherever" singer has been accused of listing the Bahamas as her primary residence but despite this, she still stayed in Spain from 2012 and 2014, owing the country over €14.5 million in taxes.
Shakira Spanish Tax Fraud Case Settled
As of Nov. 20, 2023, Variety reports that Shakira has finally reached a settlement with the Spanish Government about her Spanis Tax Fraud case.
In a statement shared with the publication, Shakira says that she has "always strived to do what's right and set a positive example for others."
"That often means taking the extra step in business and personal financial decisions to procure the absolute best counsel, including seeking the advice of the world's preeminent tax authorities such as PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, who advised me from the start, and subsequently Ernst & Young Global Limited," she said in the statement, listing the accounting and tax firms she had sought help from.
Despite this, the Spanish government pursued a case against the MTV Video Vanguard Award icon, while noting that they had other "professional athletes and other high-profile individuals" who were draining "those people's energy, time, and tranquility for years at a time."
Shakira Affirms Innocence In Tax Fraud Case
Reportedly, Shakira has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in the case. That is why she took the case to a trial instead of initially accepting a settlement offer from authorities in July 2022.
Per Associated Press, Shakira's deal included a €7 million fine and a suspended three-year sentence.
"While I was determined to defend my innocence in a trial that my lawyers were confident would have ruled in my favor, I have made the decision to finally resolve this matter with the best interest of my kids at heart who do not want to see their mom sacrifice her personal well-being in this fight," she added in her statement.
Shakira also teased the arrival of her new album and an upcoming world tour, noting that she needs to "move past" the "stress and emotional toll" that happened in the past year, including the bitter breakup she had with her ex-boyfriend, Gerard Pique.
Very recently, Shakira had the biggest night at the 2023 Latin Grammy Awards with Karol G, Natalia Lafourcade, and Edgar Barrera, winning three Latin Grammys each. Shakira won Best Pop Song and Song of the Year for "Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53" and Best Urban/Fusion Performance for "TQG" with Karol G.
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