Colombian superstar Shakira has been awarded a significant tax refund of approximately €55 million (£48 million) from the Spanish government following a ruling by the National High Court. The court found that the funds, initially collected in a dispute over her tax status, were improperly levied. This decision comes after years of legal battles concerning her tax residency in Spain.
Court Overturns Tax Authority’s Claim
The Spanish National High Court has acquitted the Grammy-winning singer of tax fraud charges for the 2011 fiscal year. Crucially, the court ordered the Spanish Treasury to repay the substantial sum, plus accrued interest, to Shakira.
At the heart of the ruling was the court’s determination that tax authorities failed to definitively prove Shakira spent the minimum 183 days required in Spain during 2011 to be considered a tax resident. The court stated that the fines imposed were unlawful as they were based on an unproven assumption of her tax residence for that year.
Shakira’s Statement on Vindication
Following the ruling, Shakira issued a strong statement, asserting that the court had “finally set the record straight.” She detailed her experience over eight years, describing it as
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