Shakira, the renowned Colombian singer, has leveled serious accusations against Spanish authorities, claiming their prosecution of her tax case was tainted by sexism and racism. The Grammy-winning artist, who recently settled a tax dispute with Spanish officials, expressed her frustration in a candid article published in a Spanish newspaper.
The case, which concluded approximately 10 months ago, involved allegations that Shakira failed to pay €14.5 million in Spanish income tax between 2012 and 2014. As part of a plea deal, the singer agreed to pay a fine of €7.3 million, along with an additional €438,000 to avoid a suspended three-year prison sentence.
In her article, Shakira asserted that the Spanish tax authority had deliberately targeted her due to her celebrity status, using her case to distract from their own shortcomings. She wrote, "I experienced firsthand an institution created to serve citizens [using] its power and resources to criminalize whoever it suits on a whim."
The crux of the dispute centered on Shakira's residency status during the years in question. Spanish prosecutors claimed she spent more than half of each year in Spain, making her liable for income tax. However, Shakira maintained that she led a nomadic lifestyle during this period, only visiting Barcelona to see her then-partner, footballer Gerard Piqué.
Shakira argued that she only became a resident of Spain in 2015, at which point she began paying taxes in the country. She emphasized that her decision to accept the plea deal was motivated by a desire to protect her children, not out of guilt or cowardice.
The singer's accusations of discrimination were particularly pointed. She suggested that if she had been "an American man" visiting a Spanish partner, the tax office would not have assumed an intention to establish residency. This statement underscores her belief that her gender and Latin American background influenced the authorities' approach to her case.
"If the singer had been an American man, had fallen in love with a Spanish woman and visited her regularly, I find it hard to believe that the tax office would have considered that he had the intention of putting down roots."
Throughout her career, Shakira has been known for her philanthropic efforts, including her role as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and the establishment of the Pies Descalzos Foundation, which focuses on child development in Colombia. Her global influence extends beyond music, with collaborations spanning various genres and cultures.
As this tax controversy continues to unfold, it raises important questions about the intersection of celebrity, taxation, and potential biases within legal systems. Shakira's case serves as a reminder of the complex challenges faced by international artists navigating different countries' tax regulations.