A Spanish court has acquitted Colombian singer Shakira in a tax fraud case, ruling that she was not a tax resident of Spain in 2011. Consequently, the court has ordered the government to return millions in wrongly imposed fines and interest.
The judge determined that tax authorities failed to prove that Shakira spent more than 183 days in Spain in 2011, which is the legal requirement to be considered a tax resident in the country. The reimbursement ordered from the Treasury includes interest, with reported amounts exceeding 55 million euros, over 60 million euros, or approximately 87 million Canadian dollars.
This decision follows years of tax troubles for the pop star, who was named in the 2017 Paradise Papers leaks detailing the offshore tax arrangements of numerous high-profile individuals. While acquitted in this instance, the singer pleaded guilty in a separate case.
Spanish tax officials have stated that they are appealing the decision. No payment will be made until there is a final ruling.