Madrid Court Orders Spanish Tax Agency to Pay Shakira Over €55 Million

A Madrid court has ordered Spain's tax authority to repay Shakira more than €55 million after determining the agency made errors in assessing her 2011 tax status. The Audiencia Nacional accepted the singer's appeal on Monday. It found that the Agencia Tributaria had not proved Shakira spent more than 183 days in Spain that year.

The court calculated her stay at 163 days. It stated the agency therefore failed to establish that she had core economic interests in Spain under the law.

The ruling requires the tax agency to return the fined amounts and pay interest and costs. The decision applies only to the 2011 case and can be appealed to the supreme court. Shakira reached a separate settlement in November 2023 over tax charges for 2012 to 2014. 3 million and an additional €438,000 to avoid prison time.

In a statement issued by her lawyer, Shakira said the court recognized that no fraud occurred in 2011. She described more than eight years of public scrutiny that affected her health and family. The court noted the agency's original claim that Shakira had not paid necessary taxes in Spain during her relationship with Gerard Piqué.