Shakira faces up to 8 years for tax evasion (8 photos)

From Chuck Berry to Prince and Lionel Richie - many musicians faced charges of tax evasion. In 2019 football player Cristiano Ronaldo had to pay $22 million for settlement of a tax fraud case. Some celebrities for example, rapper Ja Rule ended up behind bars for this crime. Now Colombian pop star Shakira faces her fate.





The pop star was accused of being in debt to the Spanish $7.1 million to the state after the El Dorado World Tour in 2018



Authorities say Shakira failed to declare millions advance payments for his tours and other sources of income in 2018 year. According to the Barcelona prosecutor's office, the singer evaded paying taxes on with the help of an offshore company.

This is the second lawsuit filed against the artist. In November she will stand trial on charges of tax evasion in period from 2012 to 2014



Shakira, who now lives in Miami, was living in Barcelona with her ex-husband, footballer Gerard Pique, and their two children. In an interview with Elle magazine published in September 2022, The pop star said she is not a resident of Spain because spends most of the year traveling.



Spanish legislation takes into account three factors for determining whether a person is a resident of a country: physical presence, location of spouse and children, and whether the country is "center of economic interests" of a person.

In addition to income from tours, the singer entered into contracts with brands such as Procter & Gamble, Fisher Price, Brazilian shoe brand Ipanema and yogurt company Activia.

"I'm sure I have enough evidence confirming that I am right, and justice will be on my side,” Shakira said



Representatives for Colombia's top-selling star said: she always acted in accordance with the law and consulted with the best tax experts.

If convicted, Shakira faces eight years in prison, but she can take advantage of the law, which allows persons charged under this article for the first time to avoid imprisonment. Football legends have already taken advantage of this right Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.



She is also accused of failing to pay 14.5 million euros ($15.3 million) between 2012 and 2014.

The Barcelona prosecutor's office claims that more than half of this the singer spent the period in Spain and therefore had to pay taxes in this country.

"I paid everything they asked for before they even filed suit. So as of today, I owe nothing."



"Even without evidence to support these fictitious allegations, the authorities enlisted the support of the media in order to persuade people to your side and apply pressure. All this undermines my reputation and aimed at forcing me to conclude a settlement agreements."

The trial is scheduled for November 20



After breaking up with Pique, whom she started dating in 2010, Shakira moved to Miami to focus on her career.