Shakira, the Colombian singer known globally for her music career, appeared in a new legal update this week regarding a second criminal case in Spain. The case centers on alleged financial improprieties in 2018, with prosecutors claiming a tax debt of 6.1 million euros, and interest bringing the total to 6.6 million. The statement was delivered by video link from Miami and lasted about thirty minutes. Shakira has previously received a sentence related to a separate tax dispute, and she continues to deny the charges, maintaining that she did not defraud any individuals. The allegations describe a corporate structure connected to a Luxembourg-based entity as a vehicle to move income and reduce tax obligations in Spain. Some reports indicate that the artist moved quickly to settle part of the alleged liability after the second complaint was filed, potentially to mitigate penalties.
Defense arguments emphasize that negotiations with the public prosecutor and the tax authorities included a broader settlement to avoid a prison term. Prosecutors reportedly sought an eight-year custodial sentence in the earlier stage of the case. Although a global agreement was discussed, it did not come to fruition, and the investigation continues in a court located in Esplugues de Llobregat, the municipality where Shakira and her partner, a professional footballer, have been residents. The latest proceedings focus on a 2018 alleged fraud tied to filings with the Spanish Tax Agency and the Catalan tax administration. It remains possible that a new agreement could emerge if circumstances allow, though the defense remains committed to advancing the case through the judicial process.
the Luxembourg-linked corporate network
The Barcelona Prosecutor’s Office has filed a fresh complaint accusing Shakira of defrauding the Tax Office of 6.1 million euros for the 2018 financial year, with the total debt rising to 6.6 million euros when interest is included. The public accusation describes the use of a corporate network featuring a Luxembourg-based company intended to minimize Spanish tax payments. The document identifies additional entities in multiple jurisdictions, including Spain, the Netherlands, the British Virgin Islands, Malta, Panama, and Liechtenstein, as part of the operations under scrutiny.
The filing states that Shakira resided in Esplugues de Llobregat in 2018 and is described as someone obligated to file personal income tax returns. It explains that wealth tax is assessed on worldwide income, regardless of where it is earned. Prosecutors argue that the artist made statements to the tax authorities that undercut the true extent of her income and that certain expenses were improperly deducted to reduce the amount owed. The complaint asserts that the taxpayer sought to minimize liabilities through a series of alleged omissions and misrepresentations, painting a picture of deliberate action aimed at lowering the state’s revenue share.