Shakira Slams Spain’s Tax Office, Calls It “Inquisition”
Colombian pop star Shakira has accused Spain’s tax office of confiscating all her income earned during her time in the country, comparing the institution to “the Inquisition” in a scathing letter published in Spanish daily El Mundo.
The “Hips Don’t Lie” singer reached a settlement in 2023 to avoid a trial in Barcelona over alleged tax fraud, admitting to defrauding tax authorities of 14.5 million euros ($16 million) earned between 2012 and 2014. As part of the deal, she accepted the charges and paid a fine of nearly 7.8 million euros to avoid serving time in jail.
In her letter, Shakira expressed her frustration with the tax office’s handling of her case, stating that “the Spanish state kept more than all my income for those years.” She also denied living in Spain for more than 183 days a year between 2012 and 2014, the threshold above which a person is considered a taxable resident.
Shakira’s legal troubles in Spain began in 2023, when she was charged with tax fraud. She settled the case on the opening day of her trial, citing the need to prioritize her children’s well-being and her career. In May 2024, a Spanish court shelved a second probe into alleged tax fraud by Shakira concerning her 2018 income tax return, bringing an end to her legal problems in Spain.
The singer now lives in Miami with her two sons, after splitting from star footballer Gerard Pique, who played for Barcelona at the time. Shakira’s case is not an isolated incident, as Spain has cracked down on celebrities such as Argentine football star Lionel Messi and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo for unpaid taxes in recent years. Both players were convicted of evasion and received prison sentences that were waived for first-time offenders.
Shakira’s letter to El Mundo has sparked outrage among fans and critics alike, with many expressing support for the singer’s stance against the tax office. The incident serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges that celebrities face when navigating the world of taxation and public scrutiny.
