Shakira Scores Historic Victory Against Spanish Tax Authorities After Eight-Year Legal Battle

Shakira wins tax lawsuit

More than €60 million will be returned

Tax agency plans to appeal ruling

Spanish courts ruled in favor of Shakira in a tax dispute that lasted eight years.

The Administrative Chamber of Spain’s Audiencia Nacional determined that the artist was not a tax resident in Spain in 2011.

As a result, the ruling voids the case that required her to pay nearly €55 million.

Spain’s tax authority must now return that amount plus interest, bringing the total to more than €60 million.

Court concludes Shakira was not a resident in 2011

Shakira tax case in Spain-Photo: Mezcalent

The core issue in the Shakira tax case in Spain centered on whether the singer met the requirements for tax residency in the country during that year.

Spanish law considers a person a tax resident if they spend more than 183 days in the country during the fiscal year.

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The Audiencia Nacional concluded that Shakira did not exceed that threshold in 2011.

Therefore, the court ruled that she was not required to pay taxes in Spain on income generated during that period.

Spanish tax agency announces appeal in Shakira’s case

Spain’s tax agency expressed disagreement with the ruling issued by the National Court.

A spokesperson said the agency will ask the State Attorney’s Office to file an appeal before the Supreme Court of Spain.

That opens the possibility for the tax lawsuit against Shakira to continue in higher courts.

Meanwhile, the current ruling requires authorities to refund the money already paid by the artist.

Statement from the singer

After the decision became public, Shakira shared a message directed at Spanish media outlets.

In the statement, she said there had never been any fraud and that authorities were unable to prove otherwise.

The singer argued that the accusations lacked foundation from the very beginning.

Shakira’s legal team maintained for years that she should not have been taxed in Spain in 2011.

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The ruling does not cover other tax years

The ruling applies exclusively to the 2011 tax year.

It does not affect other proceedings in which the singer accepted settlements and made payments.

Those include cases related to taxes from later years.

The original tax lawsuit against Shakira focused on income earned during an international tour that year.

A key point in Shakira’s legal battle

Spain’s tax authority argued that Shakira should have declared income in Spain for activities carried out in 2011.

That was also the year she began her relationship with Gerard Piqué, which influenced the residency analysis.

However, the court concluded there was insufficient evidence proving she remained in Spain for more than 183 days.

The ruling marks another major chapter in one of the most high-profile tax disputes in Spain in recent years, according to BBC.