Shakira Wins Major Tax Battle Against Spanish Government

A Spanish court has handed Shakira a huge legal victory after ruling that the government must refund the singer more than €60 million tied to a long running tax battle.

The dispute centred on whether Shakira spent enough time living in Spain during 2011 to qualify as an official tax resident. Spanish authorities argued she should have paid taxes as a resident that year, but judges ultimately disagreed.

According to the court, the singer spent only 163 days in Spain during 2011, falling short of the 183 day legal threshold required for tax residency.

That finding now wipes out millions in taxes, penalties and accumulated interest previously imposed on the global superstar.

The decision marks a major turning point in one of the most high profile celebrity tax disputes Spain has faced in recent years.

After the ruling, Shakira strongly pushed back against the accusations that followed her throughout the case.

There was never any fraud, and the Administration itself could never prove otherwise, simply because it was not true.

The singer also accused authorities of damaging her reputation by portraying her as guilty long before the legal process had fully played out.

The case traces back to the years when Shakira partly lived in Spain during her relationship with former Gerard Piqué after the pair met around the 2010 FIFA World Cup period.

Even with years of courtroom battles surrounding her, the Colombian superstar has continued dominating globally through music, touring and business ventures.

Spain’s tax agency is reportedly planning to appeal the ruling before the Supreme Court, meaning the legal fight may not be completely over yet.