“Whenever, Wherever,” Spain will make sure they are getting paid the proper amount in taxes, even if you’re a famous star like Shakira. In 2018, the musician was hit with tax fraud charges, and nearly five years later, she is in the same predicament.
In September 2023, Spain prosecutors accused Shakira of failing to pay taxes for a second time around, per the Associated Press. The musician allegedly did not pay 6.7 million euros (7.1 million) in taxes during 2018. The outlet received a statement from prosecutors alleging the musician “used an offshore company based in a tax haven to avoid paying the tax.” Shakira has been notified of the charges but has yet to release an official statement on the allegations.
Back when she was charged with the first set of tax fraud allegations in 2018, Shakira maintained her innocence. Telling Elle Spain, “The Spanish tax authorities saw that I was dating a Spanish citizen and started to salivate. It’s clear they wanted to go after that money no matter what.” Although it’s unclear as to what she will do with this second round of charges, it’s clear that Shakira is willing to put up a fight if she does not think that she is in the wrong. However, only time will tell whether the musician will have to pay up and face prison time.