Shakira accused of defrauding Spain’s Treasury of $7M, also facing tax fraud charges.
OAN’s James Meyers
1:45 PM – Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Colombian singer and entertainer Shakira has been hit with another tax fraud accusation, this time involving millions of dollars.
Prosecutors in Spain have accused the renowned performer of evading $7.1 million in taxes on her 2018 income report.
According to the complaint, the singer excluded $14 million of her earnings from the 2018 fiscal year and abstracted $5.8 million in false expenses “thus managing to reduce the amount to be paid to the State Administration of the Tax Agency.”
The singer, whose full legal name is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, allegedly utilized an offshore tax account to commit tax evasion, as reported by Spanish daily newspaper El Mundo.
Shakira was informed of the charges in Miami, Florida, where she currently resides.
She is scheduled to appear in court on November 20th to face six counts of tax fraud, accused of failing to pay an estimated $15.4 million in taxes between 2012 and 2014.
Prosecutors argue that in 2018, Shakira spent more than half the year in Spain and should have paid income taxes in the country. However, she claims to have been in the Bahamas during that time.
Reportedly, she relocated to Miami in April of this year following her separation from former Spanish soccer player Gerard Pique.
If found guilty on all six tax fraud counts, Shakira could potentially face up to eight years in prison, according to El Mundo.
Spanish tax authorities have been cracking down on celebrities in recent years. Soccer stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were both convicted of tax evasion in 2017 and 2019.
However, due to a provision in Spain that allows judges to waive sentences under two years for first-time offenders, neither player served time behind bars. They were still required to pay fines to have their sentences dismissed.
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What specific allegations have been made against Shakira regarding her tax evasion case?
Ntially face significant fines and even imprisonment. Tax fraud is a serious offense, and if proven guilty, it can have severe consequences for individuals, irrespective of their fame or influence.
The allegations against Shakira involve evading $7.1 million in taxes for the year 2018. Prosecutors in Spain claim that the singer excluded $14 million of her earnings and fabricated $5.8 million in false expenses to reduce the amount to be paid to the tax authorities. It is also alleged that Shakira used an offshore tax account to commit tax evasion, further complicating the case.
The charges were brought against Shakira while she was in Miami, where she currently resides. She is scheduled to appear in court on November 20th to face six counts of tax fraud, covering the period between 2012 and 2014. Prosecutors argue that Shakira spent more than half of 2018 in Spain and should have paid income taxes there. However, the singer claims to have been in the Bahamas during that time.
This case has attracted significant attention, not only because of Shakira’s global fame as a singer and entertainer but also due to the gravity of the charges. If found guilty on all counts, Shakira could potentially face substantial fines and imprisonment.
It is crucial to emphasize that tax evasion is illegal and unfair to those who fulfill their tax obligations diligently. Paying taxes is a fundamental responsibility shared by all citizens to contribute to the functioning of societies and governments. By evading taxes, individuals undermine the essential services provided by the state, including infrastructure development, healthcare, education, and social welfare programs.
Tax authorities around the world take tax evasion seriously and employ sophisticated methods to detect and prosecute offenders. In recent years, there have been numerous high-profile cases involving celebrities and public figures being accused of tax fraud. Such cases demonstrate that wealth or fame does not exempt individuals from their responsibilities towards society.
It is important to note that Shakira, like any other individual accused of a crime, is entitled to a fair trial. The court will examine the evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defense before reaching a verdict. Until then, Shakira is presumed innocent, as is the case with any individual facing criminal charges.
As this case unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and integrity in financial matters. It highlights the need for individuals, especially those with complex financial situations, to ensure they fulfill their tax obligations accurately and honestly.
Furthermore, it presents an opportunity for governments and tax authorities to review and strengthen their mechanisms for addressing tax fraud, ensuring that no individual can escape their financial responsibilities to society.
In conclusion, Shakira’s tax fraud accusations are serious and have raised significant concerns worldwide. The singer, along with any other individual accused of tax evasion, should go through a fair and impartial legal process. This case reminds us of the importance of fulfilling tax obligations and the consequences that individuals may face if they choose to unlawfully evade taxes. It also underscores the need for governments to continue their efforts in combating tax fraud and maintaining the integrity of their tax systems.
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