Judge shelves Shakira's 2018 tax evasion case after plaintiffs withdraw complaints

A judge in Esplugues de Llobregat, just outside Barcelona, has shelved the tax evasion case against Colombian singer Shakira after the plaintiffs, the state lawyer, the prosecution, and the Catalan government withdrew their complaints.

In the text, the judge says that it does not seem that Shakira had "willingly" hidden information and documentation during the IRFP personal income tax return and her patrimony tax in 2018.

However, the tax agency will continue to investigate the musician for alleged tax evasion in 2011. Regarding the case, Shakira claimed that she spent 70 days in Spain during that year, half of what is required to pay such taxes in the country. 

In a statement, the defendant celebrated that "the Spanish judiciary system ends its smear campaign against Shakira from the tax office."

The prosecution had said that Shakira had evaded paying €5.8 million from the IRPF personal income tax return in 2018, when she used to live in Esplugues de Llobregat with, at the time, FC Barcelona footballer Gerard Piqué.

Settles in tax fraud case

Shakira has been facing several tax fraud investigations, reaching a settlement on the first court day, after the prosecution said she had evaded €14.5 million between 2012 and 2014.

Back in November 2023, the Colombian accepted a three-year prison sentence, but she will not go to jail as she will pay a fine instead.

Shakira Isabel Mebarak already paid the full amount the prosecution requested, after they argued the singer had defrauded tax authorities €14.5 million between 2012 and 2014. She also paid a 50% surcharge. 

In a brief court hearing, the judge asked Shakira if she was aware of all of the terms of the agreement and if she acknowledged the facts and accepted the new sentence, to which the singer responded affirmatively.