Shakira Addresses Alleged Tax Fraud: “I Should Struggle for What I Consider”

Shakira is sharing her ideas on her ongoing tax fraud case.

The singer is going through a authorized battle after being charged with tax evasion, as prosecutors in Spain alleged she didn’t pay the Spanish authorities 14.5 million euros ($15 million) in taxes between 2012 and 2014. Prosecutors additionally mentioned if she’s convicted, they’d ask a courtroom to sentence her to eight years in prison.

Shakira opened up concerning the case in her Elle cover story and defined why she selected to reject a settlement deal and struggle the accusations.

“As a result of I’ve to struggle for what I consider; as a result of these are false accusations,” she mentioned. “To begin with, I didn’t spend 183 days per 12 months at the moment in any respect. I used to be busy fulfilling my skilled commitments around the globe. Second, I’ve paid all the pieces they claimed I owed, even earlier than they filed a lawsuit. In order of at this time, I owe zero to them.”

She continued, “And eventually, I used to be suggested by one of many 4 largest tax specialist corporations on this planet, PricewaterhouseCoopers, so I used to be assured that I used to be doing issues accurately and transparently from day one.”

Shakira famous that with out proof to assist the “fictional claims,” the Spanish tax authorities “have resorted to a salacious press marketing campaign to attempt to sway individuals, and apply stress within the media together with the specter of reputational injury with a view to coerce settlement agreements.”

Whereas on the heart of her personal authorized battle, Shakira identified that different stars have additionally confronted the identical battle. “It’s well-known that the Spanish tax authorities do that typically not solely with celebrities like me (or [Cristiano] Ronaldo, Neymar, [Xabi] Alonso, and plenty of extra), it additionally occurs unjustly to the common taxpayer. It’s simply their type. However I’m assured that I’ve sufficient proof to assist my case and that justice will prevail in my favor.”

In response to the Related Press, prosecutors in Barcelona have alleged that the singer ought to have paid taxes within the nation as a result of she spent greater than half of every 12 months between 2012 and 2014 in Spain. Shakira argued in opposition to the claims, explaining that in these years she was on a world tour and “spent greater than 240 days exterior of Spain, so there was no means I certified as a resident.” As a result of she was courting Spanish soccer participant Gerard Piqué on the time — they not too long ago ended their 11-year relationship — she informed Elle the Spanish tax authorities “began to salivate” and “it’s clear they needed to go after that cash it doesn’t matter what.”

“Even for the following few years, I used to be touring the world, working nonstop whereas pregnant or with Milan as a child, when my C-section had barely closed. They knew I wasn’t in Spain the required time, that Spain wasn’t my place of business or my supply of earnings, however they nonetheless got here after me, with their eyes on the prize,” she continued. She in the end mentioned going to courtroom was “a matter of precept.”

 A trial date has but to be set.