Spanish Court Clears Shakira in Tax Fraud Case

A Spanish court has acquitted Shakira in a tax fraud case, instructing the government to refund over 55 million euros ($64 million) in fines and interest that were wrongly imposed. This decision, reported by The Associated Press, marks the end of a period of tax-related issues in Spain for the Colombian artist.

The dispute centered around the 2011 tax year. Spanish tax authorities failed to prove that Shakira was a resident of Spain during that time, according to the court in Madrid. For tax residency in Spain, an individual must spend more than 183 days in the country. Authorities could only show that Shakira spent 163 days in Spain in that year.

Over recent years, Spain has intensified its efforts against tax evasion, targeting high-profile individuals, including soccer stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. These athletes were convicted of tax evasion but escaped prison time under a provision allowing sentences under two years for first-time offenders to be waived.