A Spanish court has ordered authorities to refund more
than **€55 million** to pop star **Shakira**, ruling that tax officials wrongly
classified her as a **Spanish tax resident** in **2011**.
In a decision issued by Spain’s **National Audience**
and seen by AFP on **Monday, May 18**, the court said tax authorities failed to
prove Shakira spent the required **more than 183 days** in Spain during that
year. The court found she spent **only 163 days** in Spain and concluded that
Spain was not the centre of her economic interests at the time.
The ruling means Spain’s tax agency must return all
amounts paid by Shakira, including **legal interest**, effectively reversing
penalties and tax adjustments worth millions of euros.
Reports say the repayment includes about **€24
million** in income tax, nearly **€25 million** in fines related to a “very
serious” offence, plus accumulated interest.
Shakira reacted by saying the court had “finally set
the record straight” after years of legal scrutiny. She accused authorities of
subjecting her to “brutal public exposure,” orchestrated campaigns to harm her
reputation, and sleepless nights that affected her health and her family.
Shakira, 49, previously lived in **Barcelona** for
more than a decade with former partner **Gerard Piqué** before relocating to
**Miami** after they separated in 2022. She is also preparing to end her
**“Women Don’t Cry Anymore”** world tour with concerts in Madrid starting in
September.
Separately, Spanish authorities had accused Shakira of
defrauding the tax office of **€14.5 million** between **2012 and 2014** by
allegedly not declaring income earned while living in Spain. In 2023, she
settled with prosecutors to avoid trial, accepting the charges and agreeing to
pay a fine of nearly **€7.8 million**.
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