Shakira is facing new tax fraud allegations in Spain. The allegations surfaced while she was about to go on trial for a separate $16 million tax fraud case. Presently, the 46-year-old is accused of failing to pay $6.3 million in taxes in 2018. She reportedly used shell companies to avoid paying taxes in Spain, despite having a successful tour in the same year. These allegations are tarnishing the reputation of the Barranquilla native, who has millions of fans all around the world.
At the moment, controversy is surrounding the star from all corners, after she made headlines for targeting her former partner Gerard Pique’s father through her sharp lyrics in ‘El Jefe.’ Surprisingly, Shakira and her lawyers have come forward with a public statement regarding the tax fraud accusations. What did Shakira say about the recent case filed by Spanish prosecutors? Let’s find out.
Shakira and her legal team came up with a public statement
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Source say that the ‘Waka Waka’ singer failed to report $12.6 million in profits from her 2018 El Dorado World Tour. Back then, the Colombian was living in Spain, and the law required residents to pay taxes regardless of where they were earned. Prosecutors claim that Shakira used shell companies to divert the money in order to avoid paying a huge amount of tax. Now, as per the allegation, she owes $6.3 million in taxes to the government, including an interest in voluntary payments. Finally, Shakira’s legal team has responded to the second allegation thrown at her.
Official statement from Shakira’s legal team on the recycled story of tax fraud:
“Once again, as has been happening for all these years, it is through the media how the singer has learned of the filing of this lawsuit, evidencing the media and reputational pressure to which she… pic.twitter.com/4gCiif2RIs
— shakirastuff | fan account (@shakirastuff_) September 28, 2023
The opening part of the statement said, “The artist and her legal team wish to inform that Shakira has not received any notification about the lawsuit that today the media reports that has been filed for the 2018 fiscal year.” In the statement, Shakira’s legal team also revealed that the pop star came to know about the lawsuit through the media, and now they are waiting for the notification to arrive through legal channels.
They further made it clear that the ‘She Wolf’ singer has always obeyed the law and has paid the tax without fail. Currently, Shakira is in Miami, and her focus is on her musical career. However, this is indeed a tremendous blow to the pop icon, as she is already involved in another tax fraud case.
The first tax fraud case filed against the Colombian
The 46-year-old has been accused of failing to pay $16 million in taxes between 2012 and 2014. The case was initiated by a complaint from the Prosecutor’s Office of Economic Crimes of Barcelona. After the news went viral, her lawyers soon released a statement denying the allegations and claiming her innocence.
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They claimed that Shakira has not committed any tax fraud and is confident about proving the same in court. Now her legal team has yet another case to deal with, and this has been an enormous setback for the star. If the Spanish court proves the Colombian guilty, she will be forced to spend nearly eight years in prison.
Do you think that Shakira is innocent? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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