'Queen of Latin Pop' Shakira Indicted for 20 Billion KRW Tax Evasion in Spain

Shakira's Side: "Residing in Spain Since 2015, No Need to Pay Taxes on Previous Earnings"
Trial to Be Held in Barcelona... Date Undecided

'Latin Pop Queen' Shakira Accused of Tax Evasion in Spain Photo by AP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Bang Je-il] Shakira, known as the "Queen of Latin Pop," is set to stand trial in a Spanish court on tax evasion charges.

The Colombian-born Shakira has been indicted for failing to pay 14.5 million euros (approximately 20 billion KRW) in income tax from 2012 to 2014.

According to AFP and EFE news agencies on the 27th (local time), the trial is scheduled to be held in Barcelona, but the date has not yet been set.

Spanish prosecutors allege that Shakira effectively moved to Spain in 2011 but maintained a tax residence in the Bahamas until 2015, thereby avoiding paying taxes.

Prosecutors argue that since Shakira spent more than 183 days in Spain from 2012 to 2014, she had a tax obligation.

In July, prosecutors announced they would seek a sentence of 8 years and 2 months in prison and a fine of 23.8 million euros (approximately 32.6 billion KRW) after Shakira refused a plea deal.

Shakira denies the charges, claiming she began residing in Spain only from 2015 and therefore is not liable for taxes on income earned before then.

She also states that she has already paid 14.5 million euros plus 3 million euros (approximately 4 billion KRW) in interest to the Spanish tax authorities, and thus owes no further taxes.

Shakira moved to Barcelona while maintaining a relationship with FC Barcelona defender Gerard Piqu?. The couple had been together for 11 years before breaking up in June, and they have two children together.

In an interview with Elle magazine last week, Shakira explained, "When I was with Gerard, I was on a world tour and spent more than 240 days outside Spain," adding, "At that time, I did not qualify as a resident of Spain."

She claimed, "The Spanish tax authorities started drooling when they saw me dating a Spaniard," and asserted, "It was clear they wanted to go after that money no matter what."