Shakira Tax Evasion Case: Did the Hips Don't Lie Singer Lie About Where She Was Living?

International pop star Shakira has been in the spotlight this past week – not because of a new album or performance, but for a looming trial in a tax fraud case. 

According to the Associated Press, the case involves the Spanish government and taxes owed from the years between 2012 and 2014. Prosecutors allege that Shakira, whose full name is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, lived in Spain for more than half of each year in 2012, 2013 and 2014, and did not pay the 14.5 million euros in taxes required to live in the country. The Colombian singer is facing six charges and a fine of 24 million euros, which is equivalent to about $24 million. 

Spanish prosecutors are claiming Shakira was in Spain most of the years in question, but Shakira’s team says her official residence was in the Bahamas. Prosecutors believe she was living with her then-partner and father of her child, Spanish soccer-star Gerard Piqué, in Spain – not in the Bahamas, where tax rates are lower. The singer was said to have officially moved to Spain in 2015 when she had a second child with Piqué. 

Last week, Shakira was offered a deal to settle the case, but the singer did not accept. The case will now go to trial, and prosecutors are seeking a sentence of eight years and two months in prison. So far, a trial date has not been set. 

The back and forth of Shakira’s tax fraud case has been going on since December 2018 when the Spanish government first charged her with tax evasion. At that time, Shakira’s team issued a statement saying that the Spanish government was using her “as a scapegoat” to get other taxpaying delinquents to confess their crimes. Six months later, Shakira testified in court and denied the allegations; however, a judge determined that there was enough evidence to take her to trial. In May of 2022, the singer attempted to appeal the case, but a court dismissed the appeal. 

Last week, publicists for the singer reported to the Associated Press that Shakira “has always cooperated and abided by the law, demonstrating impeccable conduct as an individual and a taxpayer.”